Praying for our Government

Prayer is a powerful resource that enables anyone who prays to connect instantly to the Father.  It is vitally important that we do not take our conversations with God lightly, but rather soberly and deliberately.  Prayer is key to the welfare of our nation.  The bible is clear that we need to pray for those who serve in government. 

Instead of complaining about what we do not like about our President, Congress, Mayors, Sheriffs, and so on, pray for each one of them.  Do not pray that they change the way you think they need to be, rather pray that God will shape them to lead with godly values, moral integrity and character, and ethical standards.

Complaining gets us nowhere fast.  The Apostle Paul told Timothy in the first letter,  “I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone  -  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live in peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 

This section of Scripture illustrates the urgency for all Christians to pray for those in civil authority.  Tertullian said in the Apology, section 39, “We pray for our rulers, for the state of the world, for peace of all things and for the postponement of the end.” 

Justin Martyr writes in Apology 1:14,17 “We worship God alone, but in all other things we gladly serve you, acknowledging kings and rulers of men, and praying that they may be found to have pure reason with kingly power.”

Instead of criticisms, pray.  Instead of hate letters, write with kindness.  I’m not saying to compromise convictions or values, but I am saying that it is God who can do the shaping and changing from the inside out; we have to trust his lead, not ours. 

In 1^st Timothy 2, the Apostle Paul gives four ways to pray for our government.  Doing each of these will demonstrate that we trust that God can and God will help shape, change and leads our government.   

Request  -  The Greek translation deēsis means to pray with a special need in mind.  The people of Paul’s day experienced the persecution of Christians by the emperor Nero.  It was imperative for them to have special prayers for the Christians being persecuted and for the persecutor Nero.

Prayer  -  The Greek translation proseuchē means to exclusively approach God.  The approach to God can be for a variety of reasons:  To ask for help, to ask for forgiveness, or to ask that God will give guidance to those in “authority.”

Intercession  -  The Greek translation enteuxis connotes the idea that one is coming before a king with an appeal for his favor. 

Thanksgiving  -  The Greek translation eucharistia is a celebration and appreciation for what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our government. 

It is my aim to encourage all of you to pray for all of our government and be a model of kindness, grace, and mercy.  May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Remember, Be God Controlled! 

Brian