Praying For Our Leaders
In the Church, we often behave other than what is taught in the New Testament. We have our programs that are designed to edify all age groups. We busy ourselves with seminars, retreats, camps, evangelistic campaigns and so many other wonderful activities. All this is good, but have we ever stopped to ask ourselves if God has something else in mind for the Church?
The purpose of the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy was to give him specific instructions about how the Church should behave. “I am writing these things to you so that…you man know how one ought to behave in the household of God…” (I Tim. 3:14-15). And what was the most important activity of the Church? In chapter 2, verse 1 and 2, it reads: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…” In one word, PRAYER is the primary ministry and obligation of Christians when they gather together.
The first topic of prayer was for, “all people”. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord’s house would be called a House of Prayer for all nations (Is. 56:7). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would be saved. God loves the whole world and sent Jesus to be the Savior of all mankind. This first subject of prayer reveals the general will of God.
The second topic, in verse 2, is more specific: “for kings and all who are in high positions…” In other words we are to pray for our leaders in government. We are to pray for them so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. Don’t you agree that the government we have affects the way we live? We pray for our leaders so we can be well governed. Paul goes on to say that this is good and pleasing in the sight of God. Good government is the Will of God!
God is interested in government. All those in authority derive their legitimacy from God. All authority is delegated authority and comes from our Sovereign Lord. God desires good government so that the Gospel can be preached in the whole world. Verse 4 gives us the reason why we should pray for our leaders. It is because God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” For this to happen, the Gospel must be preached. Let me ask you this: Is it easier to preach the Gospel in the whole world when there is good government or when there is bad government? The answer is obvious, so let’s pray for our leaders.
Scriptures to meditate on:
I Tim. 2:1-4; 3:14-15; Rom. 13:1-7; Is. 9:6-7; 56:7; II Peter 3:9