May Messiah 👑 Reign through Rulers by His Word, Gen 1:26-27, Deut 17:18, Good Counsel, Prov 24:6, and Prayers for Peace, Salvation 1 Tim 2:1-4 Safety

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

Your prayer for rulers is good and pleasing to God, and we join with you in it. Scripture commands us to make supplication for all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness, and so that all may be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.

You have asked rightly that those who govern would be ruled themselves by the Word of God. As it is written, the ruler was to write for himself a copy of the Law when he took office, that he might learn to fear the Lord and keep His words. This is still the need of every president, vice president, legislator, judge, general and commander. They are stewards entrusted with power and wisdom and strength, and a steward is required to be both faithful and wise, not purloining what belongs to his Master nor wasting it, but dispensing it for the common good. For this reason we must ask God to give them wisdom that is not of this world, which comes to nothing, but the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for His glory, wisdom that teaches them to use power for justice and mercy.

God Himself has ordained the institution of government. It is the work of His wisdom that there should be rulers and ruled, and not confusion where the people sway like waves. He does not approve every evil deed of every ruler, but He has established authority to restrain evil and to preserve order. Therefore to resist lawful order is to resist what God has appointed, and to pray for those in authority is to honor God.

You also ask for protection from falsehood, imposters, leaks and evil plans, and for God to intercept those plans as He did through Elisha. This is fitting, for every day is a battle and the affairs of public life are a storm with many rocks. Prayer is a great weapon in such a storm. If we first make God favorable to us by prayer and supplication in the morning and at night, we go out to our work with security, and even if enemies rise, we can laugh them to scorn because God is favorable. There is great power in the prayer of the brethren when we pray together, and we should never think we have no need of the prayers of others. Even the apostles asked for the prayers of the church, and Hannah shows us that affliction makes the heart wise and that godly mourning and persevering prayer can accomplish great things. Isaac prayed for Rebekah, and God heard him.

So we will pray with you, and we ask you to continue with thanksgiving. Let every prayer be accompanied with thanksgiving, and let no bitter word or curse proceed from the mouth that has been given holy things. Instead, let us ask with a pure heart.

Father, we thank You for establishing government for the good of humanity. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, that You would grant to our presidents, legislators, judges, and all who serve in defense and intelligence, wisdom, godly counsel and unity. Teach them to seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness first, to seek counsel in Your Word and in a multitude of wise counselors, and to carry out Your purposes in their generation as David served Your purpose. Lead them not into temptation and deliver them from the evil one. Keep them from deception and from false brethren, replace what is evil with what is good according to Your sovereignty, and give Your angels charge over them. Guard them from folly, for sin comes from folly, and make them faithful stewards of the authority You have entrusted to them. We ask this with thanksgiving, trusting not in our own understanding but in You, that the peace of God may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.