Praying
For Governments
(1
Timothy 2:1-4 NRSV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, {2} for kings and all
who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in
all godliness and dignity. {3} This is right and is acceptable in the sight
of God our Savior, {4} who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
There
are five reasons given here for praying for governments:
-
That Christians may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
-
That Christians may be able to have godliness and dignity
-
It is right and acceptable in God's eyes.
-
That people may be able to be saved.
-
That people may be able to come to a knowledge of the truth
When governments are favorable to Christianity as they are in the Pacific Island nations of Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea the Christians are able to live quite and peaceable lives, their pursuit of godliness is respected and they are not humiliated in anyway for their faith. They can have dignity. God sees this as good and acceptable.. In these countries it is easy to spread the gospel and for people to come to know the truth about God, themselves and the world around them. Substantial nation-wide or city-wide revivals are reasonably common.
In contrast Albania
was, for many years, the most atheistic and anti-Christian country on
earth. Christians were actively persecuted and humiliated, they could
not pursue godliness, live in dignity or spread the gospel. Albanians
did not come to a knowledge of the truth about God themselves or the world
around them. This situation is not God's will. A whole generation of Albanians
did not receive salvation as a result. The country is now as economically
bankrupt as it was spiritually bankrupt.
The difference between
Albania and Tonga is the difference that intercessory prayer can make
to a nation. The Pacific Island nations were founded on missionary effort
and have active prayer groups praying for their government. In Papua New
Guinea "Operation Brukim Skru" (Operation Bended Knee) has 100,000
people praying for the PNG government (out of a population of only 3.5
million). Wherever you are in the world you can transform your nation
through prayer.
How To Pray For Your Government
Lets look at David's prayer for the government of his newly crowned son - Solomon.
(Psalms
72 NRSV) Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to
a king's son. {2} May he judge your people with righteousness, and your
poor with justice.
Pray
that the government will be just and that it will be given discernment
of right and wrong that comes from God.
{3}
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in
righteousness. Pray that the government may have a prosperity
that reaches "the people" not just the leadership.
{4}
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance
to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
Pray that the government defends the just cause of the needy. Pray that
it has the moral fortitude to crush the oppressor and stand up to the
powerful who are wicked. Pray that it will support programs that bring
deliverance to the needy.
{5}
May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout
all generations.
Pray for the personal health and prosperity of those in government.
{6}
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that
water the earth. Pray that the government is refreshing to the
people and a source of goodness, blessing and growth.
{7}
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon
is no more.
Pray for enduring peace and stability and a well-founded and lasting
moral order.
{8}
May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends
of the earth. {9} May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies
lick the dust. {10} May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render
him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. {11} May all
kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. Pray
that it may be a powerful and well honored government because it has
served God well. Pray that it may not be humiliated by powerful nations
but instead may be honored by all.
{12}
For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have
no helper. {13} He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the
lives of the needy. {14} From oppression and violence he redeems their
life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
Pray that the government may consider every human life to be precious
and have the needy "on their agenda". Pray that it may be
the helper of the helpless. That the government may consider itself
a servant of the needs of the people and despise no-one.
{15}
Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made
for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long.
Pray for the spiritual protection and blessing of the government - that
"prayer may be made for him continually". Pray for the personal
salvation and continuing sanctification of those in power. Pray for
their protection from the snares of the Devil - especially greed, sexual
temptation and pride.
{16}
May there be abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops
of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom
in the cities like the grass of the field. For
an abundance of basic necessities and food. For people to "blossom"
and grow, for the nation to experience God's "shalom" - blessedness
and prosperity.
{17}
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May
all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
For a good international reputation.
{18}
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
{19} Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole
earth. Amen and Amen. {20} The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
Praise God who alone does wondrous things for the transformation that
He can work in your nation. Pray on the basis of God's glory being enhanced
through godly governments. Claim the promise that His glory will fill
the earth and this includes your nation and every city, state and county
within it.
Supplications,
Prayers, Intercessions, and Thanksgivings
(1
Timothy 2:1-2 NRSV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, {2}
for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. Supplication
indicates an earnest heartfelt prayer for God's extra-ordinary authority
to be used in a particular matter. It is asking for an extraordinary
move of God. Something "outside the normal channels". It
is "special pleading". This may include asking God to send
a revival, stop the passage of ungodly legislation , protection from
invasion or war, or to act in a mighty way for the good of His gospel.
Prayers is the normal word for petitions and includes the everyday
requests for the health, prosperity and wisdom of the government.
"Intercessions" comes from the Greek "deesis"
meaning "to chance upon" or "to have an audience with
a king". Hence "to have the good fortune to have an audience
with a King", in this case it is the King of Kings. We are to
take the kings to their King!
Thanksgivings.....woops!
Grumblers against governments take heed! We are to give thanks for
them because they uphold justice and stop the world descending into
anarchy and chaos. (Romans 13:1-7) We also need to give thanks for
governments as we are to give thanks for in things.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV) in everything
give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
If we appreciate a good government and its good actions they are likely
to be repeated and become strongholds of goodness and prosperity.
Thank God today for what He is doing through your government - feeding
the hungry, healing the sick, punishing the wicked, setting standards
for housing and infrastructure, building highways and communication
networks, administering justice, educating your children, defending
your liberty.
What To Do About
Discouragement With The Government
There are two
things to do about discouragement 1. Start believing in a God who
can do all things. 2. Get together with other positive like-minded
Christians to pray for your government. When we try and tackle national
level change alone we can end up like Elijah fleeing to a cave and
crying out "I alone am left...". Companionship such as he
later experienced with Elisha and the school of the prophets got things
going again.
Do not give in.
Praying for governments opens the doorway for revival and for the
continued proclamation of the gospel. Praying for governments will
mean that not just this year but for years to come you will be able
to live a godly life in quietness and peace. Finally lets give it
Paul's priority..."first of all"(1
Timothy 2:1).
This article may be freely reproduced for non-profit ministry purposes but may not be sold in any way. For permission to use articles in your ministry, e-mail the editor, John Edmiston at johned@aibi.ph.