As we move into the height of the election season, there’s no doubt you’re going to witness flagrant partisanship and campaign rhetoric. Be careful not to get caught up in the hype, but be educated and informed. You have a right and responsibility to vote and in doing so take an active part in representative government.
But more than just voting, I think Christians bear another responsibility for their government – prayer. We have a call to pray for our leaders. We’re called to pray for local, regional, state, and national leaders. In fact, we’re called to pray for leaders in other nations. Regardless of your political persuasion, I have a couple of thoughts on how to pray specifically for leaders.
- Ask God to work through the leader to accomplish His will.
- Ask God to protect the leader from negative or ungodly influences.
- Ask God to put people in the leader’s life for positive influence.
- Ask God to give health to your leaders.
- Ask God to give strength to your leaders.
Don’t ever loose sight of the power of prayer. Be a people who seek His face, perfect will, purposes, and intercede on behalf of others (leaders and nations). There’s something more powerful than a campaign contribution, vote, or lobbyist – it’s called prayer. Prayer influences (even changes) hearts, conditions, circumstances, outcomes, movements, standoffs, politics, candidates, and even the one praying. Our greatest national movement won’t be in riding the coattail of the popular candidate, but in touching the hem of the Savior’s garment (Luke 8:44). Pray.
Thanks Brad. I’m already getting annoyed with all commercials and ads from the politicians and activits groups. And its really just getting started. 🙂
John MacArthur has a book entitled Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong. Chapter 11 of the book is called “God, Government and the Gospel” and provides perspective to the question, “How Should Christians Think About Political
Activism?”
It talks about a number of things in addition to prayer. Too much to type, but a great read!
Thanks for the book suggestion. I’ll have to check it out.
Good blog – I’m not happy about the impression some give that if you are a Christian you have to have a particular polictical agenda. I know Christians on both sides of many issues. But we can all pray for God’s will.
Great point Sue – thanks for the comment. Brad
Yes, I need to pray more for our leaders, even when I do not agree with their agenda. I can pray that God will open their hearts up to doing what is best for the people and our country. I am praying too with this next presidental election that we will elect a new president. I plan on being involved by being a volunteer. I believe God wants us to be involved into getting a conservative, morally, upstanding leader into office.
I’m glad you’ve made the decision to be involved. It’s important to be to register, know as much as possible about the issues and the candidates, and vote. Keep praying too!