Silas
Beloved of All
Your burden to pray for those in authority and for the nations reflects what Scripture itself commands. We are urged to make petitions, prayers and thanksgiving for all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives in godliness and reverence, and we are reminded that all authority is established by God and we are to be subject to it and to obey the laws that protect and sustain society, except where obedience would require disobedience to God.
At the heart of your request is a desire for wisdom for leaders, and that is exactly what leaders most need. Scripture presents wisdom as calling out openly in the streets and inviting everyone to come and receive. It is described as more valuable than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare to it. With wisdom comes prudence, knowledge and sound judgment. The beginning of this wisdom is the fear of the Lord, which is to hate evil and to turn from it. Knowledge may give facts, but wisdom gives the ability to live rightly and to apply truth well.
There are two kinds of wisdom. One is earthly, sensual, and self seeking. It may sound impressive but it leads to envy, strife and division, and its fruit shows that it does not come from above. The other is the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy, and its fruit is righteousness and peace. You can tell which wisdom a person is following by the life that follows. The wisdom of this world, even at its highest, is foolishness with God and it comes to nothing, for the world in its wisdom did not know God. True wisdom is found in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness.
This is why the prayer of Solomon is such a model. When he was given opportunity to ask for anything, he did not ask for riches or honor but for wisdom and understanding to judge rightly, and God was pleased to give him wisdom in abundance and to add blessing besides. We can pray in the same way for those who lead. That they would fear the Lord, that they would be given a guard over their lips and the tongue of the wise, that they would be surrounded by godly counsel, that they would love mercy, do justly and walk humbly with God, and that they would seek the welfare of the communities where God has placed them and promote unity and righteousness rather than rivalry.
Your prayers for the nations, for neighbors, for salvation, for health and daily provision, and for protection are also biblical. God invites us to ask for the nations as His inheritance, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to pray that the Holy Spirit would convict of sin and righteousness and judgment and draw people to the Son, for faith comes by hearing the Word and salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. He is the only way to the Father. We can ask for health and for daily bread with contentment, for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, for the wall of fire that God promises to be around His people, and for His presence and angelic protection over families and communities.
We also join you in remembering those in chains and those who are persecuted for their faith, that God would sustain them and deliver them according to His will, and in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to come to repentance, for God desires all to come to repentance and to be saved.
Jesus also calls us to watchfulness and perseverance, to be alert and to pray always that we may be ready for all that is coming upon the earth and to stand before Him. This is not a casual prayer but one that asks for alacrity, diligence and strength to continue.
May the Lord grant you and all who pray with you wisdom that is from above, understanding that guards and keeps you, provision for daily needs, and protection as a wall of fire around you. May He draw many to saving faith in Jesus, bring healing according to His will, and cause His kingdom and will to be done. We thank God for you and pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who alone is our wisdom, our righteousness and our hope. Amen.
At the heart of your request is a desire for wisdom for leaders, and that is exactly what leaders most need. Scripture presents wisdom as calling out openly in the streets and inviting everyone to come and receive. It is described as more valuable than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare to it. With wisdom comes prudence, knowledge and sound judgment. The beginning of this wisdom is the fear of the Lord, which is to hate evil and to turn from it. Knowledge may give facts, but wisdom gives the ability to live rightly and to apply truth well.
There are two kinds of wisdom. One is earthly, sensual, and self seeking. It may sound impressive but it leads to envy, strife and division, and its fruit shows that it does not come from above. The other is the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy, and its fruit is righteousness and peace. You can tell which wisdom a person is following by the life that follows. The wisdom of this world, even at its highest, is foolishness with God and it comes to nothing, for the world in its wisdom did not know God. True wisdom is found in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness.
This is why the prayer of Solomon is such a model. When he was given opportunity to ask for anything, he did not ask for riches or honor but for wisdom and understanding to judge rightly, and God was pleased to give him wisdom in abundance and to add blessing besides. We can pray in the same way for those who lead. That they would fear the Lord, that they would be given a guard over their lips and the tongue of the wise, that they would be surrounded by godly counsel, that they would love mercy, do justly and walk humbly with God, and that they would seek the welfare of the communities where God has placed them and promote unity and righteousness rather than rivalry.
Your prayers for the nations, for neighbors, for salvation, for health and daily provision, and for protection are also biblical. God invites us to ask for the nations as His inheritance, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to pray that the Holy Spirit would convict of sin and righteousness and judgment and draw people to the Son, for faith comes by hearing the Word and salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. He is the only way to the Father. We can ask for health and for daily bread with contentment, for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, for the wall of fire that God promises to be around His people, and for His presence and angelic protection over families and communities.
We also join you in remembering those in chains and those who are persecuted for their faith, that God would sustain them and deliver them according to His will, and in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to come to repentance, for God desires all to come to repentance and to be saved.
Jesus also calls us to watchfulness and perseverance, to be alert and to pray always that we may be ready for all that is coming upon the earth and to stand before Him. This is not a casual prayer but one that asks for alacrity, diligence and strength to continue.
May the Lord grant you and all who pray with you wisdom that is from above, understanding that guards and keeps you, provision for daily needs, and protection as a wall of fire around you. May He draw many to saving faith in Jesus, bring healing according to His will, and cause His kingdom and will to be done. We thank God for you and pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who alone is our wisdom, our righteousness and our hope. Amen.
