Pray For Our Leaders

In chatting with a friend last night at our weekly prayer meeting, we were discussing the state of our present world and the crooked decisions being made by our politicians. Now, I’m really not into politics and I have never been interested in following the latest news when it comes to political things, but over the past couple of years I’ve found myself reading my fair share of news articles of a political nature through necessity rather than interest.

As we talked and prayed for the pressing needs and loved ones on our hearts, I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that I thought I’d share.

Proverbs 21:1

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water:

 he turneth it whithersoever he will.

We know that God has total rule over men’s hearts, and a king or a president or a politician fit in that category too. This verse reminds us that those in authority are in the hand of the Lord, and he can turn their hearts to accomplish his purposes. As easily as he directs the rivers back and forth as they move toward the sea, he can move a king’s heart.

We can have faith in knowing that although things may look bad at present, and although our leaders are making poor decisions, perverting judgment and using their power to suppress the nation, God is still in control, and he can choose to alter their power and choices at any time.

Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

God knows exactly what our leaders are doing, and he knows the choices they are making. He knows all about the pressures they are exerting, and we don’t have to worry that he might be unaware of it all. He is very aware, and he has his finger on the pulse, for want of a better phrase.

God is not just some higher being that sits up in heaven unaware and uncaring, unconcerned about his people. No! He cares and he loves, and his will is perfect. We have to remember that his ways are higher than our ways.

Although our leaders are granted power and although they often think they have complete power, God is the higher authority, and they have to answer to him, and their day will come.

Have a look at some verses in Psalm 37 if you’re still sceptical about God’s judgment on the wicked.

Psalm 37:1-2, 9, 13, 20, 38

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Does that sound like God will let them get away with evil to you?

Knowing that God controls our authorities, and that God can turn their hearts at any time he chooses, we can trust the Lord to deliver us in his time. We have to submit to our authorities, unless their laws go against scripture, and although it’s painful and frustrating and makes absolutely no sense, we can rest secure in the knowledge that although God directs and moves in mysterious ways and we don’t understand it, we can trust him. We can trust what we know of his character, and we can rest in the promises in his word.

God promises deliverance to his people. He will not fail the righteous.

Psalm 37:3, 5, 7, 39-40  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass

 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass

 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

So, while we’re waiting for God to turn the hearts of our leaders or bring judgment upon them, what do we do in the meantime?

We pray. We pray for our leaders and the God-given authorities over us.

I have often heard people say that we need to pray for our leaders, but I have never prayed as often and as sincerely for them as I do now. With our world turning upside down and fear living in the hearts of every person, it seems now is the time to get serious about praying for God to turn the hearts of the powerful and the wicked.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

 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.

We are exhorted in the book of 1 Timothy, to pray for our leaders. We are told to pray for them and intercede on their behalf and even give thanks for them! Yes, that last one is a lot harder to do. But did you see that it says that praying for them is ‘good and acceptable in the sight of God’?

We may feel like praying for our leaders is a waste of time, but God hears our prayers, and he knows our hearts and time spent in prayer is never wasted. He knows the troubles we face, and he knows just how much pressure we can handle and what lessons he wants us to learn through our trials.

Not only can God change the hearts of the wicked, but he can change the hearts of the righteous too. If you are feeling anger and hatred against the rulers of iniquity right now, however just it seems, God can change your heart too. God wants us to show love to others and it’s hard to shine his light around a darkened world when we are angry, hurting and fearful.

We need to ask God to purify our hearts and clean us from the inside out. We need him to throw out the anger and the fear and replace it with faith and trust and love. We need the right spirit and the right attitude. Pray the prayer found in Psalms and ask God to do a work in your heart.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Don’t forget that the trials you face, God has allowed. God is loving, yes. But God is righteous and holy and knows what’s best for you.

Although our leaders are corrupt and we find ourselves having to submit to them, God controls their decisions, and he can turn their hearts at any time, and we can trust in our Heavenly Father, resting in his arms, knowing that they can’t touch us without his permission.

Psalm 105:14-15

He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

If God can turn the heart of Pharaoh to Joseph, Saul to David, Nebuchadnezzar to Jeremiah, Darius to Daniel, then he can do it in our day and with our leaders.

If he can soften your sinful heart to turn to him and place your faith and trust in him, then he can turn the hearts of others, no matter their status.

Although we may despair at the stubbornness and hardness of man’s hearts, God is still in the business of changing hearts and doing a transforming work in seemingly impossible situations.

Our job is to trust. To be faithful. To obey. To pray. To love and to bring God all the glory.

Don’t spend your days in worry. God’s got this!

 

Proverbs 21:1

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water:

 he turneth it whithersoever he will.