How do you look at authority? What thoughts come to your mind when you hear that word? Do you think of government leaders? Do you respect government leaders? Do you respect those put in authority over you? Do you pray for them?
Our political environment is one explosion after another. One side throws a punch and the other throws one right back. People on both sides of the political divide antagonize one another. It seems there is no agreement on anything with almost no progress being made.
We, as Christians, are not to be caught up in the fray. We are to pray for our leaders, whether we like them or not. It may be that we didn’t vote for who won or don’t like the way that person talks or the attitude they portray when shown in public. It doesn’t matter. We are to pray for them.
That may be difficult for some of us to do. If it is, we need to look inside ourselves. You see, if we can’t pray for them, we are hurting ourselves and our fellow citizens. When we aren’t praying for our leaders, we are not asking God to work in our leaders. We are leaving them up to their own devices.
I know, sometimes we think they won’t listen anyway—even to God. If we think that, we don’t have a very high opinion or trust in God. Praying for our leaders is important for them, for us, for our city, county, state, and national governments. It is important for this world. If we want to make a difference, we must pray for them.
Now, that doesn’t mean we are to pray for them to do exactly what we want. We should pray that God work in their lives, guide them to make decisions that are pleasing to Him, that follow His will for us. We should pray that they listen for God’s guidance and adhere to it.
Praying for our leaders, our loved ones, our friends, our co-workers, and fellow Christians being persecuted around the world is important. We need to be praying every day, multiple times per day. We need to be a praying people.
I pray that we all spend time every day praying. I pray we pray for our government leaders. I pray each one of us set aside our own desires and pray that God’s will be done. Pray each day. Pray for government leaders. Pray for family. Pray for friends. Pray for co-workers. Pray for persecuted Christians. Pray that God’s will be done.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Marty Pressey 