Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for bringing this burden for prayer and for standing in the gap for those in authority, for the church, for our communities, and for the nations. Your request reflects exactly what Scripture urges us to do when it says to offer petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity, for this is good and pleasing to God our Savior who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
That prayer for wisdom is central, and it is the right place to begin. Scripture presents wisdom as a treasure to be sought as we would seek silver or hidden riches, because wisdom is better than rubies and nothing we desire can compare to it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the starting point. Knowledge is to know facts, but wisdom is the proper application of that knowledge in a way that honors God, and it is wisdom that preserves and gives life to those who have it. When wisdom is personified in Proverbs, we see a picture that points us to Christ himself, for in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. To pray for our leaders to have wisdom is to pray that they would be drawn toward the Lord and toward his ways.
Remember how Solomon prayed. God invited him to ask for whatever he wanted, and he did not ask for riches or fame or victory over his enemies. He asked for wisdom to lead well. God was pleased with that choice and said that because he had asked for wisdom rather than wealth or honor, He would give him wisdom and also add to him riches and honor that he had not requested. That is a pattern for us. When we put wisdom first, God knows how to provide what else is needed. We can pray that those who govern would value wisdom above power, wealth, or approval, and that God would grant it generously.
There is also a clear contrast in Scripture between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from above. The wisdom of the world is earthly, sensual, and leads to confusion, envy and strife, and God calls it foolishness. It may sound clever, but it comes to nothing and it cannot lead a person to know God. The wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, and leads to a life of righteousness. The world in its wisdom did not know God, but God in his wisdom has made Christ to be our wisdom, our righteousness, sanctification and redemption. So as we pray for leaders, for alliances between nations, and for the preservation of freedom of speech and of the press, we are praying with a gospel purpose, that the message of Jesus, the true Messiah, and all that he commanded might go forth freely, that nations might be discipled and people might repent and believe.
Government is ordained by God to preserve what is good and to restrain evil, and all laws should serve that purpose. When evil is allowed to flourish, it will eventually destroy. That is why we pray as you have, that God would direct the hearts of leaders as channels of water in his hand, that he would thwart the plans of the wicked, frustrate false teaching, and strengthen what is good and true. We also pray for their protection, and Scripture does promise angelic care and that no evil will ultimately prevail against those who belong to him, and that Christ who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. At the same time we put on the full armor of God and we submit ourselves first to the Lord, trusting that he is working all things according to the counsel of his will and that he causes all things to work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
So continue to pray with thanksgiving, whether you agree with those in authority or not, for that obedience is not optional. Pray for their salvation above all, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. Pray for humility and for words that are guided by God. Pray for godly alliances to be strengthened and for evil alignments to lose influence. Pray for the church and its leaders who must give an account, and for the peace and protection of people in every land. As you bring these requests to God, his peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and you can trust that he hears you.
That prayer for wisdom is central, and it is the right place to begin. Scripture presents wisdom as a treasure to be sought as we would seek silver or hidden riches, because wisdom is better than rubies and nothing we desire can compare to it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the starting point. Knowledge is to know facts, but wisdom is the proper application of that knowledge in a way that honors God, and it is wisdom that preserves and gives life to those who have it. When wisdom is personified in Proverbs, we see a picture that points us to Christ himself, for in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. To pray for our leaders to have wisdom is to pray that they would be drawn toward the Lord and toward his ways.
Remember how Solomon prayed. God invited him to ask for whatever he wanted, and he did not ask for riches or fame or victory over his enemies. He asked for wisdom to lead well. God was pleased with that choice and said that because he had asked for wisdom rather than wealth or honor, He would give him wisdom and also add to him riches and honor that he had not requested. That is a pattern for us. When we put wisdom first, God knows how to provide what else is needed. We can pray that those who govern would value wisdom above power, wealth, or approval, and that God would grant it generously.
There is also a clear contrast in Scripture between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from above. The wisdom of the world is earthly, sensual, and leads to confusion, envy and strife, and God calls it foolishness. It may sound clever, but it comes to nothing and it cannot lead a person to know God. The wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, and leads to a life of righteousness. The world in its wisdom did not know God, but God in his wisdom has made Christ to be our wisdom, our righteousness, sanctification and redemption. So as we pray for leaders, for alliances between nations, and for the preservation of freedom of speech and of the press, we are praying with a gospel purpose, that the message of Jesus, the true Messiah, and all that he commanded might go forth freely, that nations might be discipled and people might repent and believe.
Government is ordained by God to preserve what is good and to restrain evil, and all laws should serve that purpose. When evil is allowed to flourish, it will eventually destroy. That is why we pray as you have, that God would direct the hearts of leaders as channels of water in his hand, that he would thwart the plans of the wicked, frustrate false teaching, and strengthen what is good and true. We also pray for their protection, and Scripture does promise angelic care and that no evil will ultimately prevail against those who belong to him, and that Christ who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. At the same time we put on the full armor of God and we submit ourselves first to the Lord, trusting that he is working all things according to the counsel of his will and that he causes all things to work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
So continue to pray with thanksgiving, whether you agree with those in authority or not, for that obedience is not optional. Pray for their salvation above all, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. Pray for humility and for words that are guided by God. Pray for godly alliances to be strengthened and for evil alignments to lose influence. Pray for the church and its leaders who must give an account, and for the peace and protection of people in every land. As you bring these requests to God, his peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and you can trust that he hears you.
