August 19, 2017
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 (NIV)
All the rulers in Paul’s time were pagans, yet Paul says that Christians should pray for them, and that we should do it with thanksgiving! Imagine praying for Nero with thanksgiving!
That means we are to pray for our president, for Congress, and for all those who hold public office, whether we voted for them or not, and we are to do this with thanksgiving.
Notice what we are to pray: “That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Our objective is that we should live in peace so that the gospel will change society.
We do not pray that the government will lead us into godliness. Only the gospel can do that, and the gospel is not entrusted to the government, it is entrusted to the church. God’s purpose for government is that there should be stability and peace.
And the church is not a campaigning organization for social or political change. Our calling is gospel ministry that changes human lives, not by the imposition of human laws, but by the regeneration of human hearts.
If we pray for our leaders it will affect the way we speak about them. You can disagree with the people for whom you pray, but you will not be cynical or unkind about them. You will pray for God’s blessing on them. You will rejoice in any success that God gives to them. This kind of praying is good and pleases our God and Savior.
Take a moment to pray for the leaders of our nation.
