I prayed for our country and the leaders today.
I don’t like some of our leaders. I don’t like some of their programs, I don’t like what’s going on, I don’t like politics . It’s leadership that I like.
But as I prayed, I struggled a little bit and was not sure exactly what to pray for or who to pray for. In my head, why pray for people you don’t like and bless them when you’re not on the same page with them, right? It was always easy to just leave them alone, bash them and criticize them all the time. The more the merrier, the harsher the better.
But God, instilled in my heart that I should pray just the same. This is not to say that I agree with them. Timothy even said this:
“1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” -1 Timothy 2:1-3
Then, as I prayed, I realized that although the government has been (and relatively successful) in trying to shoo God away, it was not really up to them. It may seem like they have the power to downplay God’s role in everything but it really doesn’t change the fact that God is still in control. Just because they say there is no God doesn’t mean there really is no God. Nah ah.
Picture it this way, God as a salesman making door to door selling. You may slam the door in his face so many times and hard, but that doesn’t mean he will stop being a salesman. Your slamming of the door doesn’t have to do with anything, you simply rejected him but he might come back again one day with the same skills, same persuasion and still a salesman.
So, praying for leaders is a two-fold mission:
First, we pray in obedience to His commandments. We show our obedience and it brings forth a change in us-our perspective, attitude, and we display compassion, too. That sets believers apart. While we criticize the government for their inability to perform so to speak, God also wants us to conduct ourselves in a fashion reflective of Him, not giving them reason to justify their action against believers. We are His ambassadors, remember?
Second, praying most of the time is all about God. Sure we pray for the leaders and we ask for wisdom for them, etc. but when we pray for people we don’t like, we allow God to manifest himself, reinforcing His position as God. The One in control. The One who won’t go away. The Sovereign God.
It’s not about us, not about them, it is all about God.
I know some people may not agree, but when God says pray for the leaders-believers obey and pray then leave the rest to God. I don’t know what God will do in response to my prayers, that is beyond me. But Timothy dropped a hint : that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Have a wonderful day, everyone.
*pictures taken off google
prodigal daughter 
Hey Gal! Thank you for stopping by to comment on my post. I think that the feeling of wonder (wondering if He heard us), is widely felt. I think that is one instance where Jesus tells us to “strive for the mark”, as Faith is not so easily come by. It is not in our human makeup to be full of faith. Personally, I think when we are children we start out that way, ergo the term “child-like faith”, but as we grow older, we are hardened and scared by life, thereby dampening our natural faith. We have to work at it. We have to be constantly reminded. That is why I believe we need to stay in the Word, read Devotionals and inspirational stories.
God bless!
PJ
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Hi Gal! You hit the nail on the head. It is also called “disobedience” if we don’t pray. He tells us to pray for our enemies. I look at it this way. At one point, Jesus was talking to I believe it was the Pharisees who wanted the people to stop praising Him and He told them if the people stopped then the rocks would cry out. To me, it is the same way as praying. If we don’t pray for our enemies, or people we don’t like, then He will find someone who will and we will be chastened for our disobedience. Disobedience is a sin. That is just my “odd” way of looking at this subject. Besides that, even if we didn’t vote for these people, they were elected so they need all the prayers and guidance they can get, and better God gives it to them than the “other”. By the way. I’m glad you liked the Bible Quiz. I am going to try and do it one a week. Also, if you like those kinds of things, my blog FB page has those types of things on it as well.
God Bless,
PJ
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I agree with you completely. Everything we do when sacrificed is always sweet-prayers, praises and everything in between. Oh yes, I was exploring your page and I guess I should type my answer on the page and not on my notebook.:) I have the bible challenge on my phone. I enjoy that sort of game, trivia challenge. Wish we could make it more interactive huh?
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