Patriotic Christians #2
Pray for Our Leaders
Theme: As Christians, we have a responsibility to pray for our elected leaders and officials.
Introduction
Last week we took some time to talk about seven different ways we could pray for our country. We need to pray for humility, that we will seek God and come out of darkness, that we will let go of anger, that we will show love, that we will stand in unity, that the fear of God will drive our actions, and that God’s will to be done in our country.
This morning I want to consider praying for our leaders.
This week, President Trump was tested and found to be COVID positive. And almost as soon as it was announced via Twitter, a flurry of activity began on social media and regular media wishing ill of the President and his wife, ill wishing that the Vice-President and his wife would get sick and die, and that the Speaker of the House would be immediately put in as President.
What times we live in where people would actually hope for the President to pass away from this virus. What evil times we are in.
On the other side, I have also seen a lot more people indicating that they are praying for the President and the First Lady. Praying for health and wellness. Praying for a quick recovery. Praying for strength during this time.
You know, the President is not perfect. The government is not perfect. But the government and our leaders are God ordained.
<The Moral Basis of Government (Part 1)
By Sermon Central
From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, The Christian’s Response to Government, 5/19/2012
Copied from Sermon Central>
Richard Halverson, who served as the Chaplain for the US Senate from 1981 to 1995 wrote:
“To be sure, men will abuse and misuse the institution of the State, just as man because of sin has abused and misused every other institution in history, including the Church of Jesus Christ, but this does not mean that the institution is bad or that it should be forsaken. It simply means that men are sinners and rebels in God’s world, and this is the way they behave with good institutions. As a matter of fact, it is because of this very sin that there must be human government to maintain order in history until the final and ultimate rule of Jesus Christ is established. Human government is better than anarchy, and the Christian must recognize the “divine right” of the State.”
(Richard Halverson, Prologue to Prison (Los Angeles: Cowman Publishers, 1964), p. 223).
It’s not perfect. That’s why we have a responsibility to pray for our government, our leaders, our elected officials.
Paul writes to Timothy saying:
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2, NLT)
We should be praying for each other every day, including our leaders. Intercede on their behalf. Give thanks for them.
<https://decisionmagazine.com/praying-other-leaders-oppose-beliefs/>
Former Arkansas governor and contributor to Fox News, Mike Huckabee said, “Praying for them is to recognize that God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.”
“But praying for someone doesn’t require me to agree with them or to be silent when I feel the need to rebuke. As I raised my children, I prayed for each of them by name daily, but that never stopped me from disciplining them. It’s because I do pray that I feel free to speak truth to power.”
So let’s take a few minutes this morning and consider seven prayers for our leaders, one for each day this week.
1. First, we should give thanks for our leaders who are willing to take the responsibility.
Prayer should always start with thanksgiving.
Paul said to give thanks for our leaders.
Sometimes that’s a hard thing to do, especially when our leaders seem to be so far away from following God.
Are we supposed to give thanks for even the evil leaders? Leaders who do not stand for God? Leaders who even oppose God?
I believe the answer to that is yes.
And here’s why: Paul tells the Roman church this:
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. (Romans 13, NLT)
We will talk more about that next week when we talk about respecting the government.
But today, we may not have any idea what purpose God may have for those souls. It is doubtful we can see the bigger picture, the 10,000 foot view, that God thankfully is able to see.
If anyone understood corrupt and evil kings and authorities, it would have been Paul. Consider the times in which he lived. Paul was a citizen of the Roman Empire — an empire built through the bloody conquest of other nations and peoples.
The Roman army occupying Jerusalem had no problem killing Jews.
The Roman government would in just a few short years do everything it could to kill all of the people of “the Way”.
If anyone understood evil leaders, it was Paul.
Yet he tells us to pray for them, giving thanks for them.
It is certainly something different than what the rest of the world would do. It’s certainly not what was expected. But then again, that’s why the early Christians surprised the world and had such an impact.
Today we are to give thanks for our leaders regardless if we agree with their politics and social views.
Today we are to give thanks for our elected officials regardless of their personal beliefs.
Today we can give thanks that our leaders are in a position of leadership and give thanks that God can use them to accomplish His will.
We can give thanks for the good guys who worship and honor God.
We can give thanks because these men and women have realized the gift of leadership and have willingly offered to serve in such a capacity.
Not all are gifted to serve. Those who are should. And that is something about which we should give thanks.
2. We should pray that our elected officials and leaders will seek wisdom in their leadership and decision making.
Wisdom is available to all who ask.
When God revealed to Daniel the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel prayed:
20 He said,
“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
21 He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other
kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
(Daniel 2, NLT)
God freely gives wisdom to those who serve Him who ask.
Often James 1:5 gets quoted, but without the rest of the context. Listen to James 1:5-8:
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1, NLT)
God will generously give wisdom if we are not living a life of divided loyalties.
We need to pray as Paul did for the church in Ephesus:
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. (Ephesians 1, NLT)
We need to pray that our elected officials and leaders will put God first in their lives and serve Him only. We need to pray that they will seek His wisdom when making decisions in our government. We need to pray that they will grow in the knowledge of God so that they can understand the hope we have in God.
We need to pray for wise decisions.
3. We need to pray that our elected officials and leaders will live a life above reproach.
Now, he was talking about the leaders in the church, but what Paul said in 1 Timothy 3 certainly should be applied to our elected officials as well.
A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach, Paul says. (1 Timothy 3:2a, NLT)
Really, all of us are called to live lives above reproach.
Paul says to the Colossian church:
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (Colossians 1, NASB)
What does it mean to live above reproach? It means that we live a life innocent in the eyes of the law.
<Bumper Sticker Conscience (Tweaked)
By SermonCentral
(From a sermon by David Dykes, Show Me the Money!, 8/20/2012)
Copied from Sermon Central>
There is a true story about a preacher who was driving to speak at a church in another county and he was running late. He was driving about 20 miles over the speed limit, when suddenly he remembered he had a Christian bumper sticker on his car.
Suddenly, his conscience started giving him fits, saying, "What do these people think about you when you whip past them doing 20 miles over the speed limit?"
So he faced this moral dilemma, and knew what he had to do. He pulled off the road, ripped off bumper sticker, jumped back in and kept speeding.
There’s a difference between true innocence and simply not getting caught.
Living above reproach means that no one can legitimately rebuke you or make charges against you that will stick.
The world may accuse, but your conduct will eventually acquit you by proving you blameless. It’s interesting that in newer translations, the phrase “above reproach” is replaced with blameless.
Living a life that is blameless.
Living a life so consistent that our reputation is credible, we are an example worth following, and we do not make the gospel look fake by teaching one thing then doing another.
Sadly, though, the idea that our leaders should be reputable men and women is not the view of even many religious leaders today.
<https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-has-made-republicans-party-compassionless-conservatism-ncna954291>
In an interview with the Washington Post in 2018, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., repeatedly argued that the United States government and its leaders have no duty to be moral on an individual level, provided that they do what he feels is in the best interest of the country as an institution. He even insinuated that a view of the state — that poor behavior by leaders attempting to help the country should not be subject to moral judgment — is one that Jesus Christ would support.
I wonder what his father would think. Junior’s position, is a striking departure from the ideas of the Moral Majority, the political organization — who sought to promote candidates who put forth firm moral standards — founded by his late father, Jerry Falwell, in 1979.
What a sad commentary on those who are in the public eye, proclaiming to be messengers of God.
As a side note, it seems that maybe we should pray for ourselves that we should live this way!
We need to pray that our leaders are living lives above reproach — with dignity — with respect.
4. We need to pray that our leaders will follow the example of Jesus and have compassion for the ones they represent.
Over and over through the New Testament, we read words like this:
36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them…. (Matthew 5, NLT)
And this:
14 …As He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14, NLT)
And:
34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. (Matthew 20, NASB)
Jesus was so different from the political and religious leaders of His day. The leadership at that time cared more about themselves, their own piety, and their own position than the people around them who were suffering and hurting.
It wasn’t new then, though, and it’s not new today.
<https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/compassionless-lawsuit-says-bernie-sanders-campaign-demoted-staffer-day-after-cancer-surgery/ar-BB16ATWz
© Provided by NBC News>
An MSN article from July has the headline: ‘Compassionless’: Lawsuit says Bernie Sanders campaign demoted staffer day after cancer surgery.
The former California political director for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign says she was demoted a day after undergoing cancer surgery and forced to quit after the campaign ignored her harassment and discrimination complaints.
In a lawsuit filed on July 10, 2020, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Susie Shannon said it was the Sanders' campaign's "outrageous and compassionless conduct" that "resulted in her forced resignation solely because she had the misfortune of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer that required major surgery to treat the disease."
But he’s not the only one being called compassionless.
<https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arnold-schwarzenegger-com_b_231549>
The headline to an article in 2009 in the Huffington Post about then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reads: Arnold Schwarzenegger: Compassionless Conservatism.
The article details the plans of the governor to cut funding for what he called “luxury model” social programs during a time the article called the “worst economic depression in seventy years.”
The writer concludes the article by saying: “Schwarzenegger’s heartlessness towards the state’s most vulnerable citizens in a time of economic collapse renders absurd the Republicans’ attempts in recent years to paint their party as “kinder and gentler” or “compassionate.” Schwarzenegger, in his lame duck period, is showing us the true colors of the modern GOP.”
What it tells me is that we need to pray that our elected officials and leaders will have compassion on the ones they have been elected to represent.
They need to listen with understanding.
They need to have empathy.
They need to validate those whom they represent.
They truly need to follow the model of Jesus. We need to pray that they will lead with compassion regardless of which side of the aisle they claim.
5. We need to pray that our leaders will have courage to stand up for what is right.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love. (1 Corinthians 16, NLT)
Seems to me that is the perfect prayer for our leaders — be on guard against the attacks of the devil and the wrong.
Stand firm in the faith. Do not waiver because you are attacked for standing up for the faith.
Have courage to do what is right.
Be strong in the strength of the Lord.
And ultimately, do what is right and do it with love.
<John McCain on Courage
Source: Fast Company magazine's "First Impression" newsletter (8-2-06)
Copied from Preaching Today>
“Courage is like a muscle,” the late US Senator John McCain said. “The more we exercise it, the stronger it gets. I sometimes worry that our collective courage is growing weaker from disuse. We don't demand it from our leaders, and our leaders don't demand it from us. The courage deficit is both our problem and our fault. As a result, too many leaders in the public and private sectors lack the courage necessary to honor their obligations to others and to uphold the essential values of leadership.
We need to pray that our leaders will be filled with courage and strength to stand for what is right, even when it isn’t the popular thing to do, when it isn’t the consensus, even more during these trying times.
And I think we need to pray for God’s protection over those who make the difficult choice to do what is right.
6. We need to pray that God will raise up the leaders He wants in office.
The Psalmist sings:
6 For not from the east, nor from the west,
Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
7 But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another.
(Psalm 75, NASB)
Remember the words of Daniel’s prayer:
20 …“Praise the name of God forever and
ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
21 He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other
kings.
(Daniel 2, NLT)
We need to pray that in our community, in our state, in our country, in our world, that God would lay the burden on the hearts of Godly men and women to run for public office.
We need to pray that God would exalt — lift up — such leaders that are faithful to Scripture — faithful to what is right — faithful to God.
7. Finally, we need to pray for the salvation of our leaders.
Going back to what Paul told Timothy:
1 …[P]ray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf…. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority…. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2, NLT)
Intercession on behalf of our leaders — praying that they will have what they need.
And what many need is a knowledge and understanding of the truth — the Good News — the Gospel of Salvation.
What pleases God is that everyone is saved.
God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
We need to pray that an example will come into the lives of our leaders, a messenger who will share the good news to those who are seeking.
May there be Philips in our world today who are ready to be used by the Spirit to minister and teach the leaders, the officials, the heads of state, just like we read in Acts 8.
Conclusion
This week, I hope that you will pray for our leaders — from the President down to our local board of supervisors and school board members.
I hope that you will lift them up in prayer. We are reminded that the fervent prayer of the righteous will accomplish much.
It is only by prayer that we will accomplish a turn around in our country today.
<Prayer for Leadership
Cal Thomas in the Tampa Tribune-Times (Jan. 17, 1993). Christianity Today, Vol. 37, no. 5.
Copied from Preaching Today>
Poet Alfred Tennyson observed, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice rise like a fountain for me night and day.”
In an article in the Tampa Tribune-Times, Cal Thomas asks, “Why aren’t more people praying and fewer posturing? Maybe they believe criticism raises more money for their organizations than prayer. Perhaps, but do they achieve their stated objectives. [The President’s] public policies should be critiqued. But … the chances of his doing the right thing are improved when he knows that people are praying for him.”
This morning, we can be patriotic Christians. I think that the most important thing we can do as patriotic Christians is to pray.
Pray for our country and fellow countrymen and women.
Pray for our leaders.
Pray for humility. Pray for wisdom. Pray for submission to God’s will and law. Pray that God will be honored in our lives, in our community, in our state, in our country, and around the world today.
I want to conclude this morning by reading the prayer of Solomon for his father, King David. It is found as Psalm 72. May it inspire us as we pray for our leaders.
1 Give your love of justice to the king, O
God,
and righteousness to the king’s son.
2 Help him judge your people in the right
way;
let the poor always be treated fairly.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all,
and may the hills be fruitful.
4 Help him to defend the poor,
to rescue the children of the needy,
and to crush their oppressors.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun
shines,
as long as the moon remains in the sky.
Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like
spring rain on freshly cut grass,
like the showers that water the earth.
7 May all the godly flourish during his reign.
May there be abundant prosperity until
the moon is no more.
8 May he reign from sea to sea,
and from the Euphrates River to the ends
of the earth.
9 Desert nomads will bow before him;
his enemies will fall before him in the
dust.
10 The western kings of Tarshish and other
distant lands
will bring him tribute.
The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba
will bring him gifts.
11 All kings will bow before him,
and all nations will serve him.
12
He will rescue the poor when they cry to
him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no
one to defend them.
13 He feels pity for the weak and the needy,
and he will rescue them.
14 He will redeem them from oppression
and violence,
for their lives are precious to him.
15 Long live the king!
May the gold of Sheba be given to him.
May the people always pray for him
and bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundant grain throughout
the land,
flourishing even on the hilltops.
May the fruit trees flourish like the trees of
Lebanon,
and may the people thrive like grass in a
field.
17 May the king’s name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun
shines.
May all nations be blessed through him
and bring him praise.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his
glory.
Amen and amen!
(Psalm 72, NLT)
————-
Include in the bulletin for members:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before you with a humble and grateful heart. I ask you to lift up those who are seated in places of authority in our nation – President Trump, those representing me in the United States Senate, in the U.S. House, and those representing me in our state house.
Please give them wisdom on the difficult issues they are discussing and deciding on my behalf.
We ask that each representative would submit themselves to you God, the ultimate authority in each one of our lives.
Help them to recognize rights are not granted by government, they are given by you.
We pray they would use government to help secure peaceful and quiet living in our communities while respecting the proper role of your institutions of family and the church.
We know we are all sinful, subject to fall short, so we ask for an extra measure of humbleness for each of our elected officials to know wisdom only comes from you Lord.
Please protect and strengthen each one of their families, especially during times of separation.
We pray for those who lead us and do not know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and pray they will come to know you.
We ask all this in Jesus Name.
Amen.
From: https://www.myfaithvotes.org/pray-for-elected-officials
