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“Praying For Those In Power”
Praying For Those In Power
Wade Webster
To the young evangelist Timothy, Paul wrote, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:1-8).
Based on Paul’s inspired instructions, we need to pray for our President, those in Congress, and those on the Supreme Court, our governor, our mayor, and all other political leaders. In Paul’s inspired words to Timothy, we find four reasons to pray for those in power:
It is PRESCRIBED: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). The word “exhort” means “to call for” (3870). By inspiration, Paul was calling saints to prayer; especially, for those in authority. He knew that government was ordained of God and was intended to be a minister unto us for good (Rom. 13). However, he knew that government was dependent upon the prayers of Christians (Ezra 6:10; 7:23).
It is PROFITABLE: “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2). “Quiet” means “stillness, tranquil” (2263) and “peaceable” means “undisturbed” (2272). To the captives, Jeremiah wrote, “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jer. 29:7). Those in positions of authority have a great effect upon the lives of God’s children. Some bless, while others curse. Cyrus allowed captives to return home and the king under whom Nehemiah served allowed him and others to rebuild Jerusalem. Furthermore, at Nehemiah’s requested, he furnished supplies to be used in the rebuilding. Sadly, more kings fell in the category of cursing God’s people – Pharaoh (Ex. 1), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3), Darius (Dan. 6), Herod (Mt. 2), the Jewish authorities (Acts 4:18; 5:42), and Nero (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
It is PLEASING: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4). The word “acceptable” means “agreeable” (587). Praying for those in authority is in agreement with God’s will. It is consistent with God’s desire for all men to be saved and to come to truth. He doesn’t want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9; John 3:16). As you know, some governments enact policies that aid the spread of the gospel while others enact policies that hinder its spread. God wants us to pray for the king to do the right thing.
It is POWERFUL: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:5-8). Notice that Paul spoke of “one God, and one mediator.” The prayers of saints are powerful because they are on speaking terms with the only God and mediator (Mt. 19:26; 1 John 5:14-15; Phil. 4:12). No one else in the nation has this privilege and source of power. The prayer of a righteous or holy man avails much. James wrote, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jam. 5:16).
May each of us commit to praying daily for those in positions of power; especially, as a new Supreme Court justice is selected and appointed. Millions of unborn babies, religious freedom, marriage, and America’s future hang in the balance.
