Lisa Sheffler, author
Inevitably, we will encounter government leaders that we agree with and those we don’t. It’s easy to pray for the ones we like and support.
But what about those we have issues with? Maybe we dislike some decision they’ve made, or disagree with their stance on some issue. We might even be worried that they are incompetent or corrupt. Those are the ones we should pray for the most!
As Christians, we want our government leaders to be blessed by God, not just for their own sake, but for the people they lead. If we want to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness,” and live in a land where we are free to worship God, proclaim the gospel, and do good for other people, we should do what Paul instructs and pray for our all our leaders.
Read
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
Jeremiah 29:7
7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
According to these passages, why should we pray for our government authorities?
Reflect
As we’ve been reminded through this series, this world is our temporary home. Peter calls us “foreigners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). Hebrews says, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). God has “delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col. 1:13). According to Paul, “our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). So, we are not to be “conformed to this present world” (Romans 12:2). We are exiles and strangers here.
The people of Israel became literal exiles when their nation was conquered by Babylon. They became captives of the Babylonian empire and were forced to relocate there. They were swept up and deposited in a place where they did not belong. What were they to do? How were they to live? The prophet Jeremiah relates God’s desire for them during their time of exile. This is guidance that we can use as we navigate our own exile here on earth as we “await the city that is to come.”
God tells the people to “seek the peace and prosperity” of Babylon, for if it prospers, they will also prosper. Likewise, as modern Christians we are to seek the good of our cities, regions, and nation. One way the Lord specifically tells them to do this is to pray.
In 1 Timothy, Paul says to make “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority.” The first three words all have similar meanings, so we probably shouldn’t try to draw sharp distinctions between them.[1] Paul seems to be emphasizing the importance of asking God to intervene in the lives of people. He is also encouraging them to be thankful.
You don’t ask for help from someone you think can’t or won’t help, or who you don’t trust. In going to God in prayer for all people, including those in authority, we are acknowledging our dependence on him and our faith in his goodness, mercy, and love. We can pray with thanksgiving knowing that our Father always hears and responds to our prayers in the best way possible.
So let’s start today. Let’s seek the good of our cities by lifting up those in leadership!
[1] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 87.
Respond
As you seek the “peace and prosperity” of the city in which you live, take some time pray for its leaders.
A quick Google search can lead you to the names of elected officials and other leaders in your school district, city, and county. Take a few moments to find the names of local officials such as school board members, the city council, the mayor, police chief, county officials, and local judges.
Make a list of ten people in local government that you feel led to pray for by name. Thank God for their service and pray for them and their families. Pray that they come to a greater knowledge of God. Pray that they would seek the peace and prosperity of your area in God-honoring ways, and that God would respond by giving them wisdom, clarity, courage, resilience, a passion for justice, and a compassionate and humble heart.
