Praying for Those in Authority
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
As pastors and church leaders, we must set the example in praying “on behalf of all men,” but especially “for kings and all who are in authority” over us, regardless of how wicked they might be—even as Paul admonished Timothy to pray for the exceedingly wicked Roman emperor, Nero. Given the level of depravity we are forced to endure from the policies of our political rulers today, it is easy to develop a fierce animosity toward them. It is easy to see them as enemies to hate rather than love for the sake of the gospel. It is easy to curse them rather than having pity on them, knowing that unless they repent of their sins and embrace the gospel, God will judge them for eternity. “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted . . . when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:6-8).
Rather than resorting to angry protests, we must pray that those who blaspheme God will be saved, and that we will be faithful in proclaiming the only truth that delivers men and women from the bondage of sin, the power of Satan, and the wrath of a holy and just God. Moreover, whatever persecution we experience should be as a result of righteous living, not civil disobedience, remembering the words of our Lord who said, “Blessed are you when peopleinsult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Matt. 5:11-12).
And may I challenge each of you to be devoted to private prayer. The theme of Christ will seldom be prominent in our conversations if He is not dominant in our heart. In fact, I have never met a person with a robust private prayer life who struggles with things like debilitating depression, addictions, or some life-dominating sin.
I confess that, as a pastor, one of my greatest regrets is that I spent too much time in public ministry and not enough time in private communion with the Lord. But over the years I have learned that prayer is more important than preparation; the closet is more important than the library; and the heart is more important than knowledge. I have learned that prayer is the spade that unearths hidden jewels in a text. It is the drill that bores deep into the caverns of living water. I have learned that prayer is what calls forth the Spirit to give life to the spiritually dead and dissolve hardened hearts. I have learned that it is prayer that ignites a preacher with holy zeal and transforms his clumsy rhetoric into tongues of fire. I have learned that it is prayer—disciplined, fervent, private, persistent prayer—that transforms weak, shallow, cowardly pastors into mighty warriors of the Cross. May this be the passion and priority of our heart and of those we shepherd.
© COPYRIGHT NOTICE 2023 BY DAVID HARRELL AND SHEPHERD’S FIRE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
