Lisa Sheffler, author
This week, we’re focusing on praying for our governing authorities as Paul urges us to in 1 Timothy 2:1–6:
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.
Yesterday we allowed several proverbs to shape our prayers for our leaders. We’ll continue that approach from other Proverbs, and end the day by praying for national and international leaders.
Read the following verses from Proverbs, and if it’s helpful, write out a prayer inspired by them for our governing authorities.
Let’s pray for our leaders to:
Turn to God in faith and seek his to guidance
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in all your ways,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5–6
Surround themselves with good and wise counsel
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
-Proverbs 15:22
If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.
-Proverbs 29:12
13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
-Proverbs 16:13
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisers.
-Proverbs 11:14
Be willing to learn and correct course when necessary
Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise
Proverbs 19:20
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
-Proverbs 12:1
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
-Proverbs 16:20
Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
-Proverbs 13:10
Grow in humility and compassion
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
-Proverbs 16:18–19
Of course there are other things we can pray for our leaders: that God will protect them from harm, give them strength and endurance for the difficult jobs they do, and that he would bless their families and give them peace. I’m sure you can think of more.
Let’s not stop praying for our leaders after this series is done. Let’s continue to lift them up in prayer as Paul urges us to.
Respond
Today let’s focus on our national leaders — members of Congress, the President and Vice President, along with the President’s Cabinet, and members of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court. Pick a few officials that you’d like to pray for personally, by name.
This Wikipedia page has links to all office holders in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_office-holders_of_the_United_States
You might also consider praying for the heads of state in another country. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/index.html
