Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your desire to pray for kings and all who are in authority is good and pleasing before God, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth as you have quoted from 1 Timothy 2.
We join you in this prayer. Scripture teaches that all authority is appointed by God, and we are to offer petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, for presidents and governors and rulers in every nation, whether in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia or the Middle East, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. We thank God for the order He provides through government, and we ask Him to give to those who rule intelligence, character, protection, and above all the wisdom that comes from above.
For as it has been taught, there is a wisdom of this world and of the rulers of this world which is coming to nothing, and there is the wisdom of God hidden in mystery which He foreordained before the ages for our glory. The wisdom that is merely human terminates here and cannot profit even those who possess it, and it becomes foolishness when it trusts only in itself and does not receive help from the Spirit. Therefore we do not pray that our leaders would be merely clever in worldly counsel, but that their faith and their judgments would not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, that they would have the tongue of the wise and a guard set over their mouths, that they would do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God, and be surrounded by godly counsel that promotes righteousness and unity rather than bitterness and rivalry.
History shows that changing the form of government alone does not make a people better. Whether under aristocracy or king or oligarchy, people remain in the same evil ways unless virtue is present. So we pray not only for systems and elections and policies, but for the hearts of rulers and peoples to be turned to Christ, for only Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness. We pray that leaders and citizens alike would hear the gospel, for there is salvation in no other name, and Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
We agree with you in praying for unity among nations where it accords with righteousness, and for the welfare of the cities and regions where God has placed us. We pray as Jeremiah taught, to seek the welfare of the city where we live, that in its welfare we may find welfare, and that the Lord would be a wall of fire around our neighborhoods and keep His people from evil while still in the world. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict neighbors, students, teachers, workers, families, pastors and officers of sin and righteousness and judgment, and to draw them to the Son, granting saving faith as a gift through hearing the Word.
We also bring before the Lord your request for daily provision. We ask our Father to give daily bread, to grant contentment with godliness, to restore what has been lost, and to cause the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace, to abound in you, that you may use your time well for prayer, study and making Christ known.
And we remember with you the persecuted church, those in chains and those suffering for the name of Christ, especially where persecution and deception are strong. We pray for their relief and release, for courage to endure, and for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to hear the truth. We pray against false teaching and lies, and we ask for heavenly protection, knowing that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, and that God hears from the first day we humble ourselves to seek Him.
May the Lord keep you steadfast in prayer, not trusting in persuasive words of human wisdom but in the power of God, and may His kingdom come and His will be done. We offer all these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have access to the Father, asking that He be glorified in every nation which is His inheritance. Amen.
We join you in this prayer. Scripture teaches that all authority is appointed by God, and we are to offer petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, for presidents and governors and rulers in every nation, whether in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia or the Middle East, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. We thank God for the order He provides through government, and we ask Him to give to those who rule intelligence, character, protection, and above all the wisdom that comes from above.
For as it has been taught, there is a wisdom of this world and of the rulers of this world which is coming to nothing, and there is the wisdom of God hidden in mystery which He foreordained before the ages for our glory. The wisdom that is merely human terminates here and cannot profit even those who possess it, and it becomes foolishness when it trusts only in itself and does not receive help from the Spirit. Therefore we do not pray that our leaders would be merely clever in worldly counsel, but that their faith and their judgments would not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, that they would have the tongue of the wise and a guard set over their mouths, that they would do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God, and be surrounded by godly counsel that promotes righteousness and unity rather than bitterness and rivalry.
History shows that changing the form of government alone does not make a people better. Whether under aristocracy or king or oligarchy, people remain in the same evil ways unless virtue is present. So we pray not only for systems and elections and policies, but for the hearts of rulers and peoples to be turned to Christ, for only Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness. We pray that leaders and citizens alike would hear the gospel, for there is salvation in no other name, and Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
We agree with you in praying for unity among nations where it accords with righteousness, and for the welfare of the cities and regions where God has placed us. We pray as Jeremiah taught, to seek the welfare of the city where we live, that in its welfare we may find welfare, and that the Lord would be a wall of fire around our neighborhoods and keep His people from evil while still in the world. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict neighbors, students, teachers, workers, families, pastors and officers of sin and righteousness and judgment, and to draw them to the Son, granting saving faith as a gift through hearing the Word.
We also bring before the Lord your request for daily provision. We ask our Father to give daily bread, to grant contentment with godliness, to restore what has been lost, and to cause the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace, to abound in you, that you may use your time well for prayer, study and making Christ known.
And we remember with you the persecuted church, those in chains and those suffering for the name of Christ, especially where persecution and deception are strong. We pray for their relief and release, for courage to endure, and for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to hear the truth. We pray against false teaching and lies, and we ask for heavenly protection, knowing that our struggle is not only against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, and that God hears from the first day we humble ourselves to seek Him.
May the Lord keep you steadfast in prayer, not trusting in persuasive words of human wisdom but in the power of God, and may His kingdom come and His will be done. We offer all these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have access to the Father, asking that He be glorified in every nation which is His inheritance. Amen.
