Praying Politically

1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,"

This is not a prayer that we often consider; praying for Kings and all who are in high positions. Maybe I am blinded by my own failure in this area, but it does not seem that the church is engaged in praying for world leaders. This must become a part of our personal and corporate intercession.

We preach, talk and complain about the political condition of the world, but we don't do a lot of praying about it. I believe that it is the will of God for all nations and kings to bow their knees to the Lordship if Jesus Christ. We must participate in this process through prayer. More important than voting and protesting, which are important rights and responsibilities, is prayer.

Let me make a subtle point here. We are to pray FOR them and not AGAINST them. Many times when prayer is made for political leaders it is in the context of a president or senator that we dislike and so we pray against them. This is an arrogant prayer that presumptuously imposes our will on the process. Many times this is nothing more than sanctified sorcery. What we should be doing is praying for the will of God in their lives; praying that God would turn their heart, if indeed they be wicked.

The purpose of the prayer is: "that we may live a peaceful and quiet life." We should be praying that the hearts of mayors, senators, governors, congressmen and presidents would be turned by God to enact laws that facilitate the advancement of the kingdom of God. Not only in the United States, but world-wide.

I challenge you to pray FOR, and not AGAINST, our leaders. Begin with the leaders in your city and state, and then the president and other world leaders. Pray equally! Pray FOR Democrats, Independents, Republicans, members of the Tea Party. God does not carry a political affiliation; He is not a Republican or a Democrat! We cannot sit by without fulfilling the command of scripture to "Pray Politically."