Politics

The Biblical Exhortation to Pray for Our Leaders

The Bible clearly exhorts us to pray for our leaders, those in high political positions. Paul writes,

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

But how do you obey this command when your leaders hold and proclaim positions you dislike? Consider the following.

Nancy Pelosi’s Archbishop Is Right: There Is Absolutely No Biblical Justification for Abortion

The archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, has announced he will no longer allow Speaker Nancy Pelosi to receive Communion because of her refusal to adhere to Catholic doctrine on unborn human life. This continues a battle between Catholic politicians who claim fealty to their church – but not to one of its central tenets – and some of their church’s leadership.

Repeatedly, Pelosi has flouted her Catholic faith while promoting abortion up to the time of birth. This violates centuries of Roman Catholic teaching that abortion murders an innocent human being.

Clearly, the Archbishop is concerned with the state of Pelosi’s soul and ultimate eternal fate. He also calls us to pray for our leaders, and in this case, Nancy Pelosi.

Biden Administration’s Proclamations on Transgenderism Threaten Religious Freedom

Like him or not, to pray for our leaders includes praying for President Joe Biden.

Biden, calls himself a “good Catholic.” Yet he is the most pro-abortion president in history, even surpassing Barack Obama. But there is more reason to despise the Biden administration. Joe has surrounded himself with LBGTQ activists and is pushing their agenda on America.

A little over a week ago, the White House issued a series of documents for the “International Transgender Day of Visibility.” Even more than revealing a new progressive “baseline” when it comes to politics and gender, these documents foreshadow new and real threats to religious freedom.

For example, a statement from the Office of Population Affairs claimed that so-called gender-affirming treatment “improves the mental health and overall well-being of gender-diverse children and adolescents.” In this case, however, gender “affirming” means to encourage grade-school children to question their gender and, once they do, provide them with puberty blockers and hormone therapy to help them reject their bodies. In some cases, the document says, adolescents should even have access to so-called “gender-affirming surgery,” a procedure which removes or destroys perfectly healthy body parts and is irreversible.

Pray for our leaders, all of Them

I could list many more political leaders I dislike and, if I gave into my own sinful inclinations, would wish them to rot in Hell for eternity. Among them are Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Chuck Schumer, AOC, and others. But that is just what Satan wants me to do because it rejects what God’s Word tells me I must do!

Instead, I pray for the leaders I dislike and those who I agree with.

Why do I pray for them?

First, because God’s Word tells me this is the right thing to do.

Second, when I pray for those I dislike, even despise, I begin to see them as sinful children of God, just as I myself am. And I want them to know the grace and forgiveness God offers to all sinners who repent and come to him.

Third, referring to the quote from 1 Timothy, “…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Those in authority over us have the power to allow us to practice our faith openly, and to share the gospel with others. Or they can shut it down. Even if they are not godly people, we need them to uphold the First Amendment.

What Do We Pray for Our Leaders?

Here are some general suggestions:

Wisdom

Clear thinking

Health

Conviction of sin and realization of the need for the Savior

Salvation (if needed)

Strengthening of their Faith

Change of heart / mind (if needed)

Also, pray for our leaders when they need to decide regarding specific legislation, policies, etc.

Please join me in praying daily for our political leaders at the national, state, and local levels.

 

 Related Reading:

5 Bible Passages About Praying for Those in Authority

Biden’s Presidency Isn’t Fixable

How to Be an American Dissident

 

^{37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40 ESV)}