By: David McFadden

I have found many Scriptures that direct us to pray for the people who are in authority over us. I discovered that when we are obedient to pray for our leaders, we step into a biblical principle that will bring peace to our lives, as well as our family, friends and neighbors.

“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. 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. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-5 NLT)

Feeling secure is one of our basic human needs. One way God meets that need is through an orderly society.

God is the God of order and He gives us laws and ordinances in His Word to help achieve an orderly social structure.

Almost without exception, our founding fathers used God’s precepts and commandments as models for civic law. In turn, the various authorities enforce these godly laws to ensure our safety and provide an opportunity to live in peace. Civil government's primary established purpose is to provide order, peace and security for its citizens. Said differently, Godly authority assures us that “…we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 

Governmental authority is to be welcomed and not shunned. When the government is doing its job properly, we live in peace and have security. Roman 13:1-5 explains more,

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 

“The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.” (NLT)

Here, in Romans 13, we find that “The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good.” We also get a real sense that the disobedient, the rebellious, and the evil-doers will be removed as a threat to society. Proverbs 29:2 tells us that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” Desiring and having righteous people in authority is why we are encouraged in 1 Timothy 2:2 to pray specifically by name for people in authority over us.

“Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.”  (1 Timothy 2:2 NLT)

Knowing that some of our leaders are righteous and some are not should make us even more desirous to pray for them. Remember, Scripture tells us that God can bend the heart of a king to act righteously. Also, God can capture the heart of a leader and bring him or her into a relationship with Him. Whether we like a particular leader should not matter, we have the mandate to pray for our leaders according to Scripture. We should ask God to give our leaders wisdom, provide His protection, receive Salvation, seek divine guidance, and provide His favor in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. We owe this to our children and grandchildren.

Having someone in authority over us with a heart to please God is a treasure and a blessing. I want to turn that statement around and restate it because almost everyone reading this is in a position of ordained and delegated authority. Being someone in authority with a heart to please God is a treasure and a blessing. Imagine the peace and security we would enjoy if every business person, church leader, police officer, judge, husband or mother were submitted to God and led by the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, true peace and prosperity would take root if each of us submitted to the authority God has placed over us. 

“For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17 NLT)

There is no doubt that submitting to flawed leaders is difficult, and sometimes written laws seem unjust, and sometimes our judicial system is out of whack. Even so, God’s Word reigns supreme, and if we submit to His Word and obey His Word, we allow the power in His Word to work on our behalf to God’s glory. We do not lean to our own understanding, but by faith we pray God’s Word and live by it, allowing Him to accomplish the miraculous in our lives and our society. The takeaway is that we should accept our obligation to pray for those in authority, taking it seriously.—Ω

Apply His Transforming Word to Your Life

Heavenly Father, You are awesome and glorious beyond comparison There is none other besides You. Thank You for providing security for me and my family through righteous authority. Help me submit to and come under the covering You have provided for me by obeying Your Word to pray for and submit to Your ordained authority. Your ways are higher than my ways so I choose to step into Your plans for a civil society so I can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. I just realized that I too have ordained authority that compels me to live and rule righteously in my responsibilities with a heart to please You. As a leader, help me to be a treasure and a blessing to the people under my authority for Your glory. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Excerpted and adapted from, “Prayer by the Book”

Available on Amazon.com by clicking here: Prayer by the Book

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