Praying for Leaders

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)

So this is a hard one for all of us, especially in these incredibly divisive days, no matter where you fall politically. But that isn’t what God tells us. Paul wrote to Timothy and said “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.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

He didn’t say pray for your favorite leaders, but those in authority. Remember, back then Paul and the early Christians didn’t go vote every 4 years for who they wanted to be king. It was out of their hands! Luckily, it wasn’t out of God’s hands.

Also note WHY they were to pray. Not so that the economy would turn around, or policies put in place for he country, taxes lowered, etc. No – Paul said to pray for them so they could “…live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Praying for our countries leaders can be challenging. We can always pray for leaders who we like, but praying for the opposition? There is someone in government you probably find repulsive, and can’t think of praying FOR them! In fact, most of us would find it easy to pray Psalm 109:8 over them! (Go look it up on your own…)

Paul tells us in Romans 13:1 that ALL leaders have been “established” by God. What does that mean when we see government going in a direction we don’t like or approve of? It means that whether we like it or not, God’s plan is proceeding. As Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch theologian and politician, once said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”

As Christians I think the difficulty comes in knowing that God desires ALL to come to know him. When we see leadership and government not acting according to His word we need to pray for those in charge, while recognizing the force behind them that is trying to upset God’s plan. Much like the saying hate the sin and not the sinner, we need to hate satan and all his plans. Yes, there is an active force working in the world today that hates God and all of His plans and is doing his best to overcome the earth and defeat all God stands for. Thankfully it’s not a battle between equal forces, and it is a battle that we know God ultimately wins!