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PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
by Duane Huffstutler PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-6 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For Kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. This seems like a unusual verse for a devotion and at first that is just what I thought but then the Lord started giving thoughts about these verses. First let's look at who it is that are in authority over us. For a child living at home it starts with the parents, the school teacher, and the school principal. As an adult living on our own it continues with the Sunday school teacher, the pastor, the law enforcement officers, the judge, the mayor, the state law makers, the governor, the National law makers, the Federal Representatives including the president. I realize that I left some out but it would be a very long list to add them all and it does not add to the point that I am making. Each one of these are responsible for us living by the rules that are made for our benefit. Some of the rules make sense but then again some of them make absolutely no sense at all, but they are still laws and according to the Bible we must obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17) Most of the lawmakers now days don't realize that they must give account for the laws that they make. They think that when they are dead that is the end and they are above the law while they are in power. But that doesn't matter we must live as if the Lord ruled over us because it is he that does rule over us and he can take any bad rules and change them to help us or he can change the situation, or he can change us to better the situation. Now you say, I don't like that person, or I don't like what that person stands for, or I don't like the way that person acts: why should I pray for them? First, because that is what Paul told Timothy to do in 1 Timothy 2:1. Second, why should someone pray for you? They may not like you any more than you like the other person, but someone prayed for you. Third, there is one God and his plan for everyone is that everyone hear about how his son laid his life down and died for us. Christ died for every one of us not just a select handful. But Jesus died for you and me with all of our faults and failures. Even when someone doesn't like us for what ever reason, Christ died for us and God wants the world to know. Fourth, when we pray for the ones in authority over us then God said we would live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. We won't have to worry about all the turmoil or trouble that they can raise because God will when we pray cause them to leave us alone. He has done it in the Old Testament several times and he can do it again. But we must pray for them that they will see what God has done for them and will do if they will allow him to save them. What more could you ask for but that we will live in peace no matter what is going on around us. Isn't that enough reason to pray for our bosses and others in authority? God can even get you a raise out of the deal but then that depends on you when you pray. Are you willing to start praying for those in authority over yousincerely and without bad thoughts in your heart? If you do your part God will see that his blessings will flow in your direction. Just think about it God can change the world because of a prayer why can't he change the attitude of a person because of a prayer. How much do you care about your boss or your company or your country? It is worth the time in prayer even with out receiving anything just to give them the opportunity to see God work. Duane L. Huffstutler, Written 2011, Faithwriters.com Duane L. Huffstutler is the Sunday School Director at Oak Grove Pentecostal Ministries in Bonifay Florida. All scripture is from the King James Version (1611) Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |