(obviously I love alliteration …)
Sometimes we forget what we know in exchange for what we feel.
I had that happen when I read a news article about Canada’s Prime Minister, rolled my eyes and thought … well, not nice thoughts. That was the feel part.
In the midst of my negativity, another thought, one might even say a still, small voice quieted my negativity …
pray for your leaders
I knew I had heard it before, and I was pretty certain that it was from (what I declare, over and over as the source of truth) …
the Bible.
That still, small voice followed me, for days and weeks. It haunted every social media feed, every radio and television newscast. Finally, I did what I knew it was whispering in my ear to do … see what the Bible does say.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 reminds, instructs us:
I urge, then, first of all,
that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for all people—
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 people to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Well now … that’s a bit of a spanking of biblical proportions!
And so, I (and maybe we) do a bit of a readjustment.
Timothy (that younger, right-hand-man of Paul), tells the Christians of the day (and every day after) to:
- make petitions/requests of God for all people— for kings and all those in authority.
- pray for all people— for kings and all those in authority.
- interceed/speak for all people— for kings and all those in authority.
- give thanks for all people— for kings and all those in authority.
Our leaders, whether we voted for them … or not, whether we agree with them … or not, whether we like them … or not, live in a fish bowl of pressure, responsibility and with divergent voices all around (kinda like that of a pastor … but I digress), need our prayers … even if our leader does not acknowledge to whom we are praying. It is our responsibility, straight from the Bible, to pray for our leaders … and it “pleases God our Saviour.”
Do you ever wonder might be the fruit for our countries, if Christ-followers, committed our leaders in prayer?
“It is a great privilege
as well as our responsibility
to pray for our government leaders”
Billy Graham
itsawonderfilledlife 