The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
Praying For Public Leaders
It is always painful to watch candidates for office jostling for position during an election year. In this epoch of social media and 24/7 instant news, it is difficult to avoid. The closer elections come, the more mud is slung and We the People cannot help but be polluted by it all.
Nevertheless, it is important that we be praying for our government leaders, not in the sense of praying for our favorite sports team to win, but in the biblical sense of God’s will. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 reminds us “… that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
While we do not have any kings or queens ruling over us here in America, we do have a President, Supreme Court, Congress, Governors, and State Legislatures populated by human beings who are as accountable to God for their actions as are we who believe in Jesus Christ. So how do we pray for these people who so often publicly demonstrate their dishonorable characteristics?
Our own prayers need to begin with communion with God. As the psalmist said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). It is only in our times of personal confession to, worship of, and quietness with God that we are able to clearly understand His direction both in our own lives and in our intercession for those who lead our nation.
Our first priority is to pray for their salvation. As Christians, our lives are all about serving our Lord and seeking to bring others into His kingdom. Our supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving are to be made for both all people and all those in authority. As 2 Peter 3:9 explains, God desires all to come to repentance: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
We also need to plead for specific righteous and wise decisions. One outcome of righteousness in government is the maintenance of the freedom of religion guaranteed in our Constitution. Timothy’s citation of “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” underlines that righteous governance, based on biblical precepts and judgment, establishes a morally upright citizenry as the norm. Have we ever seen such a society? America as it was first conceived by our founding fathers came close, but the establishment of an entirely righteous people on this earth can only happen under God’s perfect authority.
In the meantime, to step outside biblical teaching places us in the precarious position of a nation outside God’s protection. A nation that values human life, moral uprightness, and biblical principles of behavior including support of Israel stands within God’s protection. As Psalm 37:3-6 says, “Trust in the LORD and do good. So shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD. Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Intercession must also be made for individuals and their needs. We frequently hear of health issues, family conflicts, and internal divisions in government that require God’s intervention to negotiate these people’s lives through the struggle. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are exhorted to pray without ceasing. Disagreement with or dislike of a person in authority is not reason to cease praying for those people. In addition, as people of God, anger has no place in our prayers for those in authority over us. 1 Tim 2: 8 tells us that we should “pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
I Timothy 2:1 instructs us to also give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 goes a step further with this instruction: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Does the Bible mean for us to thank God even for those politicians who have decided that We the People are too stupid to have any valuable contribution? Absolutely yes. Remember the end of 1 Timothy 2:8 that states we are to pray without anger? I think that this part of the exhortation requires more faith on our part than any other facet of prayer for those in authority – faith that God does, indeed, know what He is doing and that His plan is perfect, even when we cannot see any redeeming value in discouraging current events.
Finally, we need to pray for protection of those in authority, particularly protection from spiritual influence and warfare. Imagine the impact of all American Christians praying daily that Satan will be confounded in the White House, the Supreme Court, The Senate, and the House of Representatives. To stand together, unified in prayer about anything, is a very important and powerful part of our relationship with Christ.
