Pray for Our Leaders

 

Good day children,

I would like you to read the following four translations of the same scripture today.  They express slightly different attitudes, but all share the same message.

 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 - New King James Version
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 - 21st Century King James Version
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,2 for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 - The Message
1-3 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.

 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 - The Passion Translation
Most of all, I’m writing to encourage you to pray with gratitude to God. Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests as you intercede with intense passion. 2 And pray for every political leader and representative so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts. 3 It is pleasing to our Savior-God to pray for them.

You can see from this verse that God does expect Christians to think about and pray for their government.  God expects us to pray with thankfulness and intensity for our leaders.  Politics has been the main news item for the last couple of years now.  In fact, I started to write these notes just prior to past president Trump’s declaration that he was going to run for office.  I was concerned about the extreme liberal bias in the press and the career politicians.  The results speak for themselves and you are more than capable of evaluating the current condition of our country.

However, I am disappointed in myself and many of my Christian friends.  1 Timothy 2:1-3 are favorite verses in the church, and while I hear a lot of criticism for President Biden, I hear few prayers.  We need to pray, as directed, for our leaders; President, Senators, Representatives, national, local, and judges.   Whether we agree with them or not, pray for them, God cares and, will hold them responsible for their actions and us for our prayers or lack thereof.  God is not surprised that these people got elected or appointed.  He is not so weak that He can not fix our leaders and country.

So pick out some of the leaders that represent you, from the local to the President, and pray for them.