A Call to Prayer is issued by Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 -- "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
We should start from the tops of our nations, here in the States, for The President, down through the House, Senate, Legislation, Supreme Court and on to all Federal Officials, Military Commanders, CIA, FBI, Postal Workers, State and Local Governments, Local Authorities, Mayors, Councilmen, Law Enforcement, Governors and though to our own Pastors, Cell Group Leaders, Our Employers, and town hall clerks and permitting personnel. ALL who are in authority. FIRST of ALL the Scripture admonishes -- note how this is very different from "not at all" or "hardly ever...." Intercession and thanksgiving for authorities has a priority level much higher than it is currently being awarded.
This is for good reason -- it benefits us either directly or indirectly, and prepares a place safe and acceptable to share the gospel, the ordained way of ordinary salvation - from faith in one person to faith in another -- see Romans 1, Romans 10 and the Whole Book of Acts.
Yes, we even pray for those who are "bad leaders" or those for whom we didn't vote -- The emperor at the time Paul wrote this was a notorious villain... That is what The Holy Spirit wanted us to bear in mind when he penned these words. Certainly now we are no better off, nor have we reached a place leaders are somehow exempt from being prayed for -- God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 2:4). Rulers need wisdom and salvation, so pray for them (obey the New Testament's teaching) all the more as we see the day approaching -- and keep one eye on the Return of the King, in Christ's name, till His will is done on earth as it is being done in heaven, and He will not only be "King of kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev 19:16) by power but submission. Amen.
We should start from the tops of our nations, here in the States, for The President, down through the House, Senate, Legislation, Supreme Court and on to all Federal Officials, Military Commanders, CIA, FBI, Postal Workers, State and Local Governments, Local Authorities, Mayors, Councilmen, Law Enforcement, Governors and though to our own Pastors, Cell Group Leaders, Our Employers, and town hall clerks and permitting personnel. ALL who are in authority. FIRST of ALL the Scripture admonishes -- note how this is very different from "not at all" or "hardly ever...." Intercession and thanksgiving for authorities has a priority level much higher than it is currently being awarded.
This is for good reason -- it benefits us either directly or indirectly, and prepares a place safe and acceptable to share the gospel, the ordained way of ordinary salvation - from faith in one person to faith in another -- see Romans 1, Romans 10 and the Whole Book of Acts.
Yes, we even pray for those who are "bad leaders" or those for whom we didn't vote -- The emperor at the time Paul wrote this was a notorious villain... That is what The Holy Spirit wanted us to bear in mind when he penned these words. Certainly now we are no better off, nor have we reached a place leaders are somehow exempt from being prayed for -- God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 2:4). Rulers need wisdom and salvation, so pray for them (obey the New Testament's teaching) all the more as we see the day approaching -- and keep one eye on the Return of the King, in Christ's name, till His will is done on earth as it is being done in heaven, and He will not only be "King of kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev 19:16) by power but submission. Amen.
