We are on the heels of an intensely active political weekend, a weekend in which a special counsel’s investigation of the president of the United States wrapped up and concluded that he did not collude with a foreign nation to get elected or obstruct justice during the investigation process.
Sometimes it’s difficult to discern what exactly is going on in Washington and in our local governments. With all of the information coming at us, finding the truth is a chore.
But there is something we can do.
It is at this kind of a moment when we need to heed the words that the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. We can’t always help our leaders in tangible ways, but we can always pray for them.
Here’s what I Timothy 2:1-4 reads (NASB):
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
He gives us some action steps that we are to take on behalf of our leaders — and leaders can mean political/civic leaders, law enforcement, a boss at work, a teacher at school or someone else in a position of authority. He specifically mentions kings and all of those in authority.
We petition God on behalf of them, and we pray to God on behalf of them. Further, and I know this is sometimes difficult, but we thank God for them. And we do this so that we can live peaceful lives in godliness and dignity.
To be thankful for our leaders is good and acceptable in the sight of God. It is noteworthy that he adds that God desires all men to be saved and come to know the truth, implying that praying for leaders can lead to their being saved and finding truth.
There are going to be leadership decisions that frustrate us, for sure. We, as Christians, are going to find that leaders make decisions that are contrary to God’s word. But we should always pray for our leaders
We should bring their decision-making and leadership before God in prayer. We should also pray for their personal lives, their souls and their families.
So, on this week where the political world seems to be turned upside down by a seemingly never-ending chaotic vortex of partisan denigration, it is vital that we bring our leaders by name before the God of the universe.
I ask you to join me by first answering these questions (and please add to my list with positions I omit), and then praying for each name throughout this week.
Who is the boss(es) and/or teacher(s) in your life?
Who is your city’s police chief?
Who is your city’s mayor?
Who are the members of your city’s council?
Who is your sheriff?
Who are your county commissioners?
Who is your state senator and/or state representative?
Who is your governor and lieutenant governor?
Who is your U.S. congressman?
Who are your two senators?
Our president is Donald Trump, and our vice president is Mike Pence.
