Prayers All

Large and in Charge

We’ve all been there at some point. You are the one left in charge.

Maybe your role is:

• caring for children, disabled or elderly loved ones in your home
• planning the children’s program, youth event or Bible study group at church
• supervising others in the workplace
• managing a community sports team
• organizing a fundraising event
• setting up the family reunion

At some point in time, we have all been the person in charge. Being called to a position of leadership is humbling, rewarding and exhausting.

Why We Pray for Our Leaders

May we remember with compassion and wisdom those who are called to positions of leadership. Certainly, there are times when someone in leadership is operating in ways that oppose the truth of God’s Word or the mercy of Christ. We must seek the LORD for His discernment in prayer.

Regardless, God has commanded us to pray for our leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – 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.

Prayers Not Complaints

Recently I was so touched by someone in my life, following her response to a newly elected official not of her choosing. Her words? “We need to pray for this person even more.”

How utterly beautiful. Her knee-jerk reaction was one of kindness and her simple words revealed the depth of her gracious, Christlike heart.

Oh Lord have mercy on me.

How many times have I complained about our country’s leaders, INSTEAD OF PRAYING?

How many times have I recounted the ways leaders are bringing division, being deceptive or leading people away from God, INSTEAD OF PRAYING?

If MY People will Pray

This famous message in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is for “MY people” who are “called by MY name.” This call is for us, the followers of Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

God is not asking someone else to repent and pray.

God is not calling for the ungodly to humble themselves.

God is not commanding the world to humble themselves and seek Him.

God is calling US to:

• Humble ourselves
• Pray
• Seek His face
• Turn from OUR wicked ways

Then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

Whether you are rejoicing at the local, state, country and global leaders that God has allowed to be put in place or whether you are disappointed, may we humble ourselves and follow God’s command to pray. When we pray TO GOD on behalf of our earthly leaders, it reminds us that God is ultimately in control and HIS kingdom will stand forever.

A Prayer For Our Leaders

Please pray with me-

Heavenly Father, we praise your holy name. You are God and there is no other. Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours. You are the One who formed every planet, tree, leaf and flower. The animals are yours and every person, the work of your hands. How glorious the splendor of your majesty and greatness! How vast beyond all measure! And yet you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our sin-debt with His own heavenly blood, that we would be cleansed and restored into a loving relationship with our Creator. Thank you, Lord Jesus! Holy Spirit, we ask you to give us humble hearts and repentant spirits. Let us seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that we may be a blessing to you and to the people in our world.

We lift up the leaders of our communities, states, country and world. Thank you for those you have chosen to place in positions of authority. We remember, nothing is outside of your permissive control. We pray first for their salvation in Christ. For your desire is for all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. We also pray for you to give each one Godly wisdom and counsel that they may use their authority to bring about your justice, righteousness and compassion to the people they lead. May their decisions be aligned with your Word, the Bible. Soften their hearts and guard their speech that they would bring healing and dignity to all people. We pray you protect them and their families and cover them with your peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah 55:6-9 – Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”