Fervent Prayer: Pray for those in our Government

We recently had a polarizing election in the United States. Who did you pray for? What did you pray? Did you pray? Did you know that those in governmental authority are placed in their positions by God Sovereignly whether they are good or evil?

Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

At the time Paul wrote these words inspired by the Holy Spirit the Roman Emperor was Nero, the Cesar who murdered multitudes of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the one who made human candles to burn and light up the palace gardens at night. Some years later Paul also wrote to his protégé Timothy that we all should pray for kings and all who are in governmental positions. So, what prayers did Paul exhort to be made?

1 Tim 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

FIRST, we are to pray that we might have a peaceful and quiet life. Many times throughout history governments do not leave Christ’s church free to live godly lives with dignity. Today throughout our world many of our brethren are being murdered and harassed daily by those with power in government. Did you know today there are about 100,000 thousand martyrs every year? History has repeated itself over and over again that the governments of man need to be prayed for so that people will be free to simply live our lives for the Father’s kingdom.

SECOND, while we are praying that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives we are to pray that those people in Government would be saved and come to know the Truth, Jesus. So while Nero and the Roman Empire was on their murderous rampage Paul asks everyone to pray for their salvation.

Friends, do not be deceived into thinking that there are “good” guys and “bad” guys. There is no one who is good; no one who seeks God. You and I, those in Government, everyone are either people who have been saved by Jesus from the last judgment that is certainly coming or we are people yet still condemned in our sins waiting for our just judgment. It’s no wonder we are exhorted by the Holy Spirit to pray in all kinds of ways not just for Kings and those in high positions but for all people.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Chris Peterson
Elder – Mercy Hill Church

FERVENT: Government

Praying for our government is really never at the top of our list, is it? Scripture urges that "...supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (I Timothy 2:1-2) In a time when we are bombarded with messages from the right, the left and everywhere in between, it's easy to get cynical, disparage or belittle the government because we don't agree with their points of view. However, regardless of where we stand, scripture lays out that we are ambassadors of Jesus. We aren't called to disobey our goverment and we must respect and subject ourselves to the law of the land (Titus 3:1-2). The other night, I was reading Bible stories to my 16 month old and we came accross the story of Daniel. I was reminded of what a great example we have in Daniel as that amabassador who intercedes no matter the opposition. In Phillipians 3:20, we find an important verse that reminds us that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.." So regardless of the political spectrum, as we pray for our goverment, we pray as ambassadors that together, our leaders may lead us in a peaceful, godly and dignified way through Christ, Jesus.