Should we pray for political leaders even when we disagree with them?
We’re inaugurating a president here in the United States in a few days.
As has been the case with every US president since I came to faith in Christ, back during Jimmy Carter’s administration, I’ll be praying for this president.
I’ll do so because of something we’re told in the Word of God, the Bible, written under God’s inspiration by the apostle Paul. Paul tells the young pastor Timothy: “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.” He goes on to explain: “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.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Christians then are called to pray for those who lead governments–I take that to include members of all three branches of the federal government and everyone who holds office at all levels of government.
And why exactly?
First, so that all people can lead peaceable lives.
And second, so that Christians can be free from terror.
And third, so that the Church will have the freedom to help all people come to a knowledge of the truth about God, the truth that though we are all sinners, Christ died and rose for sinners, and calls all people to repent and believe in Christ and receive the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life with God.
I’ll talk more in a later Short Shot about what the Christian is called to do in relating to governments, good or bad. But for now, we remember that we are empowered by God to pray for those who hold earthly authority for the benefit of all people and for the mission of Christ’s Church.
The missionary and educator Frank Laubach, founder of the Laubach Literacy Movement, was fond of telling Christians that if they ever had the chance to personally meet and give their opinions on issues to presidents and other world leaders, they would only have the leaders’ ears for a few moments and, because their limitations as human beings, their policy suggestions might be wrong. But there is no limitation on how many ways or through how many people God might speak to the hearts, minds, and wills of leaders. And when we ask God to reach those leaders according to His will rather than our own, God will give leaders counsel that, unlike ours, can never be wrong. Of course presidents can even turn deaf ears to God and act foolishly, selfishly, or criminally. More on that another time. The point to be made now is this: Our country, our leaders, and the Church need Christians praying for presidents, senators, representatives, and all other members of the government.
My simple prayer for presidents, not always offered consistently in the past, is this: Father, in Jesus’ name, give Your wisdom to the president and all leaders of government at all levels, and give them the courage to receive that wisdom and to act upon it. Grant that they will not use their power selfishly or with malevolence or vengeance. Make Christ and His Gospel unavoidable to them so that they can live each day with repentance and faith in Christ and so, look to eternity with hope. In all things, Your will be done. Amen
I invite you to join me in offering similar prayers for our leaders. I’ll have another “short shot” for you soon.
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