1 Timothy 2:1-2, Psalm 139:23, James 5:19-20, Colossians 1:9

Mike Davies

'Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.' 1 Timothy 2:1-2

In everyday life we are encouraged by Paul to pray for public officials, for those who have authority over us. Such prayers I assume are to be made in our own devotions and to be made in the meeting of the church.

In many ways this can cause a problem within ourselves praying for those who may be poles apart politically to us, we may not have the same opinion with their view on money matters, on third world debt, we may live in a country where we believe our government is dishonest and cruel, we may not agree with our church leadership, we may have problems with those in places of authority in our schools, or places of work, but Paul says we still need to pray for them. We are to pray for whoever is in power or has a position of authority.

This I suppose is where the Spirit of God can help to show the way into obedience and meekness. I often get asked to impart guidance or prayer on a problem of bullying; this can be at school, at home, or the workplace. Now trying to focus prayer in a constructive way toward an apparent perpetrator can be easier said than done. But we need to accept the love and peace of God in order to achieve breakthrough. We need to pray for those in authority and that could be someone who you find it hard to like in your place of work.

Writing this article I am reminded of a circumstance some years ago when I was put in a situation which I did not agree with. To put it mildly I was incensed. It concerned a church leader. In my heart I firmly believed the person was wide of the mark and needed to be dealt with. I prayed about the situation and still decided in my heart I should take some action. I was so overwhelmed by the injustice that looking back it would have been hard for me to clearly hear God through prayer. However, God did intervene and prior to my taking any action I received a word in a prayer ministry line from someone totally unconnected. The words came clearly, "The Lord knows what is in your heart but it is not for you to deal with it". The situation was then dealt with through other means. Was it for me to challenge or to pray for the person in authority?

Was it different in Paul's day? The man who was in authority in Rome at the time of Paul's letter was Emperor Nero. History records Nero as a man who culturally developed Rome, many new theatres were built, many athletics and sporting events established, a good working relationship with the Greeks was established and was generally well regarded by the general Roman as a good emperor. History primarily sees Nero to represent tyranny, and horrific acts of brutality. He is said to have ordered the execution of his own mother and is recorded as being personally responsible for horrific persecution of those who would call themselves Christian. But Paul still asks us to pray for those in leadership. He never asked those around to exclude the likes of Nero.

It is a subject for debate: is an evil corrupt government better than total anarchy? Why would God through his Word ask us to pray for all leaders and not just good and Godly ones?

I recently had a visitor from overseas who stated that he could not believe how much negativity is in the British newspapers about those who lead. Each one seemingly looking for an opportunity for a person to fall, rather than following a line that they did their best or let's get behind them, let's pray for our leaders.

While you are reading this article take a moment to consider it will be read all over the world as the CR distribution list gets larger and larger, but take a minute to think about the words of James, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). If the Bible encourages us to pray for those in authority do we become doers or hearers only? Imagine the change if every person who received this article took only a few moments each day to pray for those in authority. I know our Christian leaders certainly need it.

In the case of the British newspapers imagine the turnaround in the nation if they looked to print words of encouragement rather than defeat. How this would start to change a nation.

We need to check our own hearts before looking into the heart and motive of another. David writes, "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23). We are to be the encouragers, those that pray, for the building of bridges (James 5:19-20). Prayer is so powerful but often so undervalued.

When Paul wrote to the church at Colosse he states ".. do not cease to pray for you.." (Colossians 1:9). Let us make it our goal to continue to pray for those in leadership. If you only prayed one minute a day for your governmental leaders, and one minute for your church leaders would that take too much time out of your day? No, but thousands of Christians praying around the world would surely make a difference.

May I suggest that we take a moment to pray for those in authority around us, for those who have authority in our own nations, those who have authority or leadership in our towns and cities and our own church communities.

I trust that the Lord will continue to encourage you in your prayer life.