Pray for Those in Authority
When my children were small and there was a fight between them, whether verbally or physically, we parents would intervene. We would get to the bottom of the situation and explain to them how fighting can damage their relationships as friends. Afterwards, we would bring them into our home and break out the cookies and milk, or peanut/jelly sandwich and milk; case closed.
But I realize that ending verbal feuds agreeably are long gone. We are in a grown- up world where it takes more than cookies and milk, and the peanut butter/jelly sandwich has been long gone. Our politicians and government leaders are in competition for the same objective or power over the other. And there is no such thing as shaking hands and supporting the winner with civility.
I was watching a politician speaking, and he said something that caused a segment of the audience to boo him. His comment was, “Why are you booing me? That is just politics by saying what you believe in your heart.” I was taken aback by his comment of speaking in such a callous way. Then I remembered that the Bible contains many commands to pray for our leaders—national and local, secular, and religious. So, in spite of my disagreement with this politician, AT THE END OF THE DAY EVERY BELIEVER is required by God to pray for our officials no matter their office of government.
God’s Word does not state to pray for those you like but to pray for our leaders at every level. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).
But I realize that ending verbal feuds agreeably are long gone. We are in a grown- up world where it takes more than cookies and milk, and the peanut butter/jelly sandwich has been long gone. Our politicians and government leaders are in competition for the same objective or power over the other. And there is no such thing as shaking hands and supporting the winner with civility.
I was watching a politician speaking, and he said something that caused a segment of the audience to boo him. His comment was, “Why are you booing me? That is just politics by saying what you believe in your heart.” I was taken aback by his comment of speaking in such a callous way. Then I remembered that the Bible contains many commands to pray for our leaders—national and local, secular, and religious. So, in spite of my disagreement with this politician, AT THE END OF THE DAY EVERY BELIEVER is required by God to pray for our officials no matter their office of government.
God’s Word does not state to pray for those you like but to pray for our leaders at every level. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).