Do You Pray FOR Governments More Than You Complain ABOUT Them?

We complain about governments, but how often do we actually do what Paul exhorted us to do? How often do we actually pray for governments?

Here’s a tough question to ask yourself. Be honest, it’s alright, it’s just between you and God. What amount of time do you spend praying FOR governments in comparison to the amount of time you spend complaining about those in authority? Please hear me out, and read the complete article, before you protest.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG – “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” Emphasis mine.

I rarely see a Social Media post rallying the troops to pray for national leaders, especially national or world leaders whose policies many Christians might disagree with. However, most Social media sites that Christians frequent are full of trash talk, speculation, and strident cries against governments and government leaders.

Unfortunately, many Christians on Social Media thinly veil vehement disdain for their government under a thin cloak of piety. And yet, the Bible exhorts us to pray FOR governments and those in authority over. While we are perfectly in our right to voice our opinion and respectfully fight for the rights of the unborn, the marginalised, freedom of religion and speech, God calls us to pray for our leaders and those in authority over us.

So today, I invite you to join me as I pray FOR the Heads of State worldwide.

I pray for wisdom for Heads of State and I ask Lord that you would strategically place godly men and women around them. I call forth the Daniels, the Nehemiahs, and the Josephs! May any evil advisors in their inner circle be exposed and rooted out. I pray for leader’s marriages to be healthy and that you would protect their loved ones from danger. Father God, encounter those who do not yet know you through chance meetings with godly Christians!

Gift Government leaders and authorities with a heart understanding that You long for a close relationship with all of humanity. Yes, even politicians! Show Yourself as the available God, patiently waiting to meet with them if they choose to seek after You.

I place the Cross of Jesus between all those in authority and those who would curse them.

Father God, confront all governmental authorities with the sobering truth that there is a loving, caring God who values each individual they govern over. This same loving God champions those they willfully mistreat for selfish gain.

Lord, convict your people, of every slanderous, unholy and ungodly thought we have had toward those who are our national leaders. Please give us the grace to repent thoroughly. Then, for every minute we vent on Social Media, may we double that time in private, in prayer.

Lord, convict us of churlishness. Remind us we are Your ambassadors. You have appointed us to represent Your kingdom in our thoughts, words, and actions. Therefore, when we disagree with our leaders, remind us first to take it to You in prayer.

Father God, we ask for grace, wisdom, and patience to express our disapproval respectfully while leaving a door open for dialogue.

Forgive us for our unrighteous audacity to assume that our battle is solely against flesh and blood. Teach us the difference between being offended and being called to stand for righteousness. We ask for the courage of the Lion of Judah to war against our ultimate enemy. The transformation we seek in our nations, cities, and regions begins with us. We fail so often. Forgive us. We pray these things under the authority of the Name of Jesus.

2 Chronicles 7:14 is often quoted to call a nation to repentance. However, the Bible verse calls God’s people to humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways. However, 2 Chronicles 7:14 places the onus squarely on the backs of those who call themselves God’s people. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

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From November 2020 forward, all Bible verses attributed to the NASB version unless otherwise indicated.

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©2021 Katherine Walden

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