Praying for Your Leaders

Different countries have handled the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. 

Some because of a slow response, have suffered terribly. Others have gone for early and complete lockdowns. And yet others have gone for something of a middle ground, with progressive shutdowns. 

But no matter which approach they’ve adopted, there’s always someone to criticise and complain.

The easiest thing in the world is to be an armchair critic. I’ve seen post on Facebook calling my Prime Minister all sorts of names. That’s sad, that’s really sad because in these times of national and international emergency, I’m pretty sure that there’s not a single leader or government who aren’t trying to do their very best for their people. 

These are unchartered waters so we can be pretty certain that our leaders won’t get it all right, all the time. But come on, they are doing their very best. 

I wonder whether there isn’t something better, something positive that we can do for our leaders. Writes the Apostle Paul to his young protégé:

1 Timothy 2:2,3 You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Saviour.

Prayer rather than criticism and complaining. 

Not only does your prayer have powerful results, not only is it good … but it’s pleasing to God. How about it?

Life Application Questions:

• How is your personal attitude towards the leader of your country, his or her demeanour, his or her "politics", impacting your desire to pray for them?
• According to 1 Timothy 2:2,3 how much should your personal attitude influence whether or not you pray for your leaders?
• How much of your prayer time during this crisis has been spent on yourself, as opposed to praying for your leaders?
• What are three specific things that you can faithfully pray for your leaders over the coming days and weeks, that God could work through to influence what's going on in your country?

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