Praying for Our Leaders
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Is there any point in politics where all Christians can come together and agree? No matter our background or political bent, or our stance on issues we passionately believe in, is there anything that draws us together as Christ-followers that is neither Republican, nor Democrat, or Independent?
Perhaps 1 Timothy 2:1-2 speaks to this in urging us to pray for all those in authority over us. No matter if you support or oppose our President, or your Governor or Mayor, or Police Chief or other government official, the Bible is clear we should pray for them. When you pray, consider asking God:
For wisdom. Pray that our leaders have great wisdom and patience in their decisions. Pray for godly counsel to surround them to give good advice. Pray that the issues they deal with will have clear solutions and that they will always keep in mind their service to the people that elected them.
For their character. Pray that our leaders would be upright in their speech and actions with others, and that they would show respect and kindness to those they interact with. Pray for their honesty, integrity and moral foundation. And pray that God would expose leaders whose character is in question.
For their spiritual growth. Pray for our leaders to be Christ-followers. Pray that God will open opportunities for those who are not Christians to hear the Gospel and come to know Jesus. Pray that they would make God’s Word and His will the underlying foundation for their public responsibilities and their decisions and actions.
At our church, following each election, we have made it a tradition to take time in worship to get on our knees and pray for our elected leaders—no matter who wins or loses. This time is not about taking sides, but about obeying God’s Word to pray for our leaders. We should and do earnestly desire for their leadership to come from a strong relationship with Jesus, and with all godly wisdom and Christ-like character.
*https://www.touchinglives.org/devotionals/praying-for-our-leaders
Well, looks like I am the first person to comment on your thread, BakoCarl.
I do pray for PDJT, Pope Francis, and our PM in Canada….unfortunately, I think PDJT is the only honest one of the three.
Leigh Dundas gives a great analogy for Sidney Powell, and President Trump….listen to it…it’s great!
From the comments in the Leigh Dundas’ video
“Powell said, release the kraken, but she basically said to Trump, set me free… she is the kraken ;-)”
catholic, Thanks a bunch or this!!
just great…content and delivery.
imo, a Must Watch!
❤
yes, we do need to pray for our Leaders.
Yet we are given many Imprecatory Psalms, most of David, in which David clearly sees the evil in specific situations…and involving specific people…and pleads with God to act with favor to His people by destroying such evil.
Davis thereby enshrines a certain Righteous Indignation while conceding that the effective remedy against these enemies is the Wrath of God.
I am comforted by these Psalms.
thank you, piper..
I, too, am comforted always by Psalms.
and reassured and encouraged…
GOD Knows and Sees what is happening…
I can’t help but wonder how many cultured good Germans also turned to Psalms during the beginning throes of the Third Reich…when that monster was Chancellor….before he turned dictator…
the few who knew what was happening… and about to happen…who tried to enlighten and warn their fellow countrymen.
I don’t mean to sound alarmist by referring to that nightmare episode in human history or by making overly dramatic or tasteless comparisons to the Third Reich here.
but there is an undenial, eerie similarity.
when I try to enjoy tomorrow with good friends gathered together, I know for a fact that there will be at least 2 others present who voted for Biden…family members of the hosts (who are ardent Trump supporters).
I have been asked by my good friends to please refrain from any political discussions tomorrow…because it might upset the 2 liberals …
and, of course, I will oblige.
but I am reminded of the many films and documentaries I’ve watched, over the years, depicting holiday gatherings in Germany in the early 1930s, where one or two present ruined the festivities because of their ardent and fanatical allegance to The Reich>/i> , and with no regard whatsoever about how upsetting that might have been to anyone else present… keeping mental notes of who wasn’t falling in line with salute.
plse excuse the faulty >/i>
I’m always hearing this…in my mind…
“….I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me…”
but…
do what , exactly ?
undeniable
typos rock
Smiley, someone here mentioned that by attempting to restrict our family/friends/ or worshippers gathering, whether it be in homes, “taverns”, or our churches, we are being told to not communicate w each other ab the goings on around us… being told to cancel our means of discussing reality, as well as our mutual or conflicting views. Thus, debate is thought to be squelched.
I pray that the American spirit, which sometimes seems to be on life support, rises to recognize these clear infringements on our constitutional rights… not to mention the evil intent behind this attempt to control normal human behavior.
It’s particularly galling that when we DO gather, we may find ourselves in the position of restraining our very means of communication with others, simply because we choose to remain in contact with reality. And of course, you are correct: those who adhere to “the Party line” are given a sort of green light to express their loyalties, w no regard for any opposing views. The Karen Complex being a good example…State sanctioned oppression, or the elimination of debate.
I do not think you seeing parallels with the early 30s in Germany is at all unwarranted. We can continue to pray for the success of President Trump’s Counsel and allies, while indeed hoping there is yet time for an effective reversal of these evil attempts to control our heretofore free society. May God have mercy upon us.
I know how you feel smiley2 … two sons indoctrinated via public schools and dh … well … 🥺😔
May you have a Thanksgiving … May He hold you in the palm of His hand …
… as for me, I will throw back a couple small shots of scotch then duct tape my mouth (I got in BIG trouble last year … 😣) … I’m considering learning sight language … 🖖😛👌🦃❤️
… a blessed thanksgiving … 😑
Amen! Our Pastor did a sermon on Imprecatory Prayer, expositing Psalm 94.
“The Lord Will Not Forsake His People
O LORD, God of vengeance,
O God of vengeance, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O judge of the earth;
repay to the proud what they deserve!
3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked exult?
4 They pour out their arrogant words;
all the evildoers boast.
5 They crush your people, O LORD,
and afflict your heritage.
6] They kill the widow and the sojourner,
and murder the fatherless;
7 and they say, “The LORD does not see;
the God of Jacob does not perceive.”
8 Understand, O dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge—
11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,
that they are but a breath.
12 Blessed is the man whom you i discipline, O LORD,
and whom you teach out of your law,
13 to give him rest from days of trouble,
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who rises up for me against the wicked?
Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
those who frame injustice by statute?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He will bring back on them their iniquity
and wipe them out for their wickedness”
Excerpt From
The Reformation Study Bible
not sure if I should even express this here…and i am not caving in to fear …but I am beginning to feel as though we might have to prepare for something dire…
I pray…and I believe…or I hope Donald Trump and Sidney Powell and We, The People…We, The Americans…will prevail.
but what we are up against is ferocious and runs deep…entrenched…decades entrenched…and global in nature.
is “preparing” an act of bad faith ?
if not : how?
how does one “prepare” ?
any thoughts on that are welcome.
The best preparation is to abide in Christ . . .
John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
. . . and be led by the Holy Spirit . . .
Romans 8:26-27 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
. . . and, finally . . .
! Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Amen
more, on David…
(maybe I am slightly demoralized by how many ppl I am seeing with covid masks strapped to their faces…they are literally everywhere…everywhere…mindlessly obeying…and hateful about it…aggressive about it…vicious about it, too.)
“(maybe I am slightly demoralized by how many ppl I am seeing with covid masks strapped to their faces…they are literally everywhere…everywhere…mindlessly obeying…and hateful about it…aggressive about it…vicious about it, too.)”
______________
Subvert their efforts by openly opposing it. It’s fun!
And there are lots of others who don’t want to wear the mask but they’re just keeping their head low. I was at a convenience store (not wearing a mask, of course) and the guy behind the counter (and behind a plexiglass wall, and wearing a full-face welder’s mask type clear shield face guard) mouthed something to me, so I said ‘excuse me?’, and he repeated ‘Your mask, you’re not wearing your mask’.
And I said ‘Oh, I never wear one, I don’t believe in any of this stuff, I think it’s all political BS’, and then the guy behind me in line took his mask off and smiled real big and said “That’s what I think too!” 😂🤣😂
There is also a strategy involved.
A) carry yourself like you’re proud to not be wearing a mask, as opposed to looking like you’re guilty of something
Weakness (or looking like you’re expecting to be confronted) invites and provokes aggression. Confidence and self-assurance does just the opposite, it makes people think twice (and three times) about saying anything to you.
B) anyone who looks like they might be a Karen, stare them down. I make eye contact anyone who looks like they have a little Napoleon complex, and maintain eye contact until they look away. When they look away, they have already decided they’re not going to say anything to you.
Mostly though, it has become kind of fun being one of the few people without a mask on. It’s like the maskless are an exclusive club 😁
Anybody can join though, all they have to do is be brave enough to take off the silly mask.
I have noticed that in a strange way, it’s very empowering, not wearing a mask around people who are wearing masks. It makes me feel great, actually, which I don’t think objective of the enemy narrative 😂🤣😂
And once the defiance becomes fun, not only is it self-encouraging, but other people can sense that you’re having fun, which is always contagious
This is how I feel now, every time I go out without a mask.
It will make you smile, just thinking about it, and you won’t be able to get the music out of your head as you walk out the door 😁
oh yes !
and I am right with you there..in fact, I have a colorful assortment of Cowboy Bob kerchieves…kerchiefs…kerchefs ? that I wear tied around my neck…those fall under the “face covering” category and are acceptable, apparently, in lieu of an actual mask …which is obviously even more ridiculous…
I have lost count of how many times I have been ridiculed, insulted, shamed and scolded by various Coviets in stores etc for Not Wearing My Mask !
Thank You karen (or karl) for your needless needling of me and my lack of a mask…I do, however, have my Thinking Cap on, and I know how unsanitary your filthy germy face mask must be after hours of being plasetered against your sweaty oily saliva-soaked mouth, nose and cheeks…and all those nasty germs that you keep inhaling along with the carbon dioxide you keep breathing into your little communist gestapo brain…which is why you probably voted for Biden, right ? How many times do you WASH that filthy cotton…or worse, PLASTIC RUBBER face mask ?? how many times do you attach the filthy rag to your disgusting oily face after you’ve flung it onto your carseat or dangled it from one ear or hung it from your rearview mirror ?? Do you switch to a new, cleaner mask every single time you slap the needless thing to your oily face ?? No ??
Well…the next time you decide to accost a stranger in a store with your meddling left-wing bullshit, put your thinking cap on STFU.
my spiel goes something like this..
Right on! 😂👍
Excellent… I think I’ll borrow that 😁
We must first decide conclusively – whose world is this one? Is it ours, is it theirs (evil), is it God’s? If you are a Christian – settled in your mind and heart; you know what the Word says. It is God’s along with everything else. As a believer you have access to the mind of God – to His thoughts, actions, intentions, and plans. You know what Job went through. You know what Jesus went through. You know what Paul and the disciples went through. You know what the early Christian church went through, and so on and so on. You know what they did, said, and how they responded.
So are they with Yahweh living eternally in Heaven today as the Lord promised? If you believe they are and that you will be with them when you breathe your last – it should be well with your soul. So, what are you to do while still in this world? Read bakocarl’s post above and do it.
Abide in Christ. Don’t fall into the trap of the world and all of its evil. Do what Jesus and his devout followers have always done. Victory is in Christ.