UNITED STATES
A WING AND A PRAYER
Carlin Lawrence carlin@agairupdate.com
Praying for Our Government Leaders
Christians should be good citizens and set an example for unbelievers.
B 32 | agairupdate.com
Paul wrote, “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, 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). Christians are commanded to pray for our government leaders whether we like them or not. Paul lived under the Roman government that was ruled by Nero; he was a very wicked, vile, wretched, perverted man who persecuted many Christians. Paul was beaten, put in jail, and eventually killed by the Roman leaders. Paul was in a Roman jail and expecting to be killed and he didn’t criticize the Roman government leaders (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Paul did use the government laws to further the kingdom of Jesus Christ when he had the opportunity (Acts 25). “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). God wants all people to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of God’s truths so His truths will be operative in our society. Whether our leaders are good or bad, cruel or wicked, peaceful or warlike; Christians are to pray for all government leaders for their salvation. Why? Because government leaders play such a tremendous role in our life and in the life of Jesus’ church. We know that Jesus Christ has absolute control over His church (Matthew 16:18); but He allows His church to be under worldly government control to a certain degree. Because of their authority over us we should be
good citizens, and we ought to pray for them. Paul wrote, “Remind them [Christians] to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:1-2). Paul doesn’t say pray for their removal from office or get rid of all the leaders who disagree with us. Paul certainly doesn’t say to replace them all with Christians. Paul says to pray that God will save them. Why have many of
