PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS

PROCLAMATION

“I urge … that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this pastoral epistle Paul exhorted Timothy to pray for all people, including the leaders and officials who had authority over them. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)  He said that God wanted all people to be saved and to know the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-6)  Then Paul gave Timothy instructions regarding role and behavior of men and women in the church. (1 Timothy 2:8-15)

 

APPLICATION

We all need prayer, and we should pray for one another. (James 5:16)  While we should pray for everyone, we should pray special prayers for our leaders, elected political officials, secular authorities, and religious leaders.  They need God’s help as their decisions and actions can have an effect the lives of believers.  They can make it difficult for us to live peaceful lives.  Some of them are trying to do the right thing but need help as they stand alone for that which is right.  Some of them can make honest mistakes while others have thoughts of planned malice and deception.  Some seek personal gain and the expense of the people that they should be serving.  Whatever the reason for the behavior, all of our leaders need our prayers.  

 

BLESSED FOR PRAYING FOR OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“After Job prayed for his friends, The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.”  Job 42:10 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

During all of the time and things that Job suffered, he did not curse The Lord God or lose faith in Him. (Job 13:15 and 27:3-4)  After The Lord God spoke to him and Job humbled himself. (Job 40:3-5) Then God spoke to Job’s friend Eliphaz and told him that He was angry with him and his two friends, Bildad and Zophar, because they did not speak the truth about Him as Job had done. (Job 42:7-8)  The Lord God forgave them after Job prayed for them. (Job 42:9)  It is also interesting to note that The Lord God blessed Job and restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before, only after Job prayed for his friends. (Job 42:10)  The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than He had blessed him in the first part. (Job 42:12-17) 

APPLICATION

As believers we are told to pray for that which we want. (John 16:24 and James 4:2)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “Ask, and it shall be given you;” (Matthew 7:7-8, Mark 21:22, and Luke 11:9) as long as we ask for it in His name and that it glorifies God. (John 14:13)  However, we are also told to pray for one another. (James 5:16)  We are to love our brothers as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27) and therefore we should pray for them as we would pray for ourselves.  We are also to pray for our pastors and our governmental leaders (Hebrews 13:7) for they were put in their positions by The Lord God. (Psalm 75:6-7)  We all need prayer.  Let us stop complaining and start praying.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND BE KIND TO STRANGERS

Proclamation:

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.  Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”  Hebrews 13:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by an unknown human author under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this final chapter of the Book of Hebrews, the author begins by telling them to love one another as brothers and sisters.  In chapter eleven he dealt with faith, in chapter twelve he dealt with hope, and here he deals with love.   He reminds them to be kind to strangers who unbeknownst to them may be angels.  He told them to be kind to those who are incarcerated and those who are mistreated. (Hebrews 13:3)  He also told them to honor marriage and that God would deal with those who commit adultery and the sexually immoral. (Hebrews 13:4)  Then he told them not to be in love with money and that they should be content with what they have. (Hebrews 13:5)  He reminded them that The Lord God said that He would never leave them or forsake them.  After that he goes on to tell them to remember, honor and pray for the man who taught them The Word of God. (Hebrews 13:7-18)  He ends the chapter with a thoughtful benediction, (Hebrews 13:20-21) a word of encouragement, (Hebrews 13:22) and the wishes them well.

Application:

It is easy to love our family members, even though sometimes they make it difficult for us.  It is much more challenging for us to love all of our church members.  However, it requires a special effort to be kind to, love, and be hospitable to complete strangers.  The author offers practical examples for Christian living and behavior.  To do this we need His help and He is always with us. (Hebrews 13:5-6)  We need to pray for our leaders, teachers, preachers and our pastors. (Hebrews 13:18)  We should be careful not to be caught up in strange, non-Biblical teachings. (Hebrews 13:9)  We should compare what we are taught and told with what The Bible says.  It is our guide as we travel on our Christian journey through this sin-sick world.  We are to love one another as Christ loves us. (John 13:34-35)  Christ said that as we have done things for the less fortunate people, we have done it to Him. (Matthew 25:35-40) 

A UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Proclamation:

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us; so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.  May the people praise You, God; may all the people praise You.  May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the people with equity …May the people praise You … May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear Him.” Psalms 67:1-7

Explanation:

This psalm was written by an unknown human author under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  It is an intercessory prayer for God to be merciful and to bless all of the people in the world.

Application:

Given the sad state of affairs throughout this country and the rest of the world, we should pray for all of the people in the world.  We all need prayer, especially the leaders of the nations.  Daily we are reminded of the sinful state of man and each incident should serve as a reminder to believers to pray for mankind.  Eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all. (Philippians 2:11)