PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
By: Elle Buell
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Romans 13: 1 NKJV)
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:9-14 NIV)
It’s an election year and thanks to social media, there is an ever-present platform available where everyone can share their opinions on this subject. Friendships are changed and division runs rampant within the body of Christ when it comes to political views. I’ve learned the hard way that no one has ever changed their opinion of ANYTHING based on a Facebook post. As a result, I’ve stopped posting with any political slant on social media, and I pray instead.
As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, both in government and otherwise. On this President’s Day, I would challenge you to set aside social media for 24 hours and in its place, be in prayer for our nation's leaders. Every time you reach for your phone, computer, or device to cruise Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, spend that time with the Lord instead, asking Him to order their steps. I often use the passage quoted from 1 Kings as a guide for my prayers for our leaders:
Lord, give our President a discerning heart to govern your people. Help him to distinguish between right and wrong so that he is able to govern this great people. Give our nation’s leaders, judges, and lawmakers discernment in administering justice and rightly bless them with wealth and honor. Let our President, Vice President, Congress, governors, and mayors walk in obedience to You. Help our pastors, churches, and government keep Your decrees and commands that they may all have a long life. Bless this nation, Your people and our President. Thank You in advance for Your provision for this nation and for Your favor over Your people. Amen.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Romans 13: 1 NKJV)
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:9-14 NIV)
It’s an election year and thanks to social media, there is an ever-present platform available where everyone can share their opinions on this subject. Friendships are changed and division runs rampant within the body of Christ when it comes to political views. I’ve learned the hard way that no one has ever changed their opinion of ANYTHING based on a Facebook post. As a result, I’ve stopped posting with any political slant on social media, and I pray instead.
As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, both in government and otherwise. On this President’s Day, I would challenge you to set aside social media for 24 hours and in its place, be in prayer for our nation's leaders. Every time you reach for your phone, computer, or device to cruise Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, spend that time with the Lord instead, asking Him to order their steps. I often use the passage quoted from 1 Kings as a guide for my prayers for our leaders:
Lord, give our President a discerning heart to govern your people. Help him to distinguish between right and wrong so that he is able to govern this great people. Give our nation’s leaders, judges, and lawmakers discernment in administering justice and rightly bless them with wealth and honor. Let our President, Vice President, Congress, governors, and mayors walk in obedience to You. Help our pastors, churches, and government keep Your decrees and commands that they may all have a long life. Bless this nation, Your people and our President. Thank You in advance for Your provision for this nation and for Your favor over Your people. Amen.