Day 192: Praying for our Leaders

 DAY 192

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Twenty-eight    Tuesday 22 September 2020

Praying for our Leaders

Biblical Prayer from Scriptures for Leaders in Government

“As a follower of Christ, part of our faithful work is to pray for our leaders and those in authority, be they royalty, prime ministers, elected presidents, governors, law enforcement and elected representatives at all levels… . Sometimes praying for our leaders is easy. Perhaps government leaders are leading with vision, with excellence and transparency, solving problems and improving the lives of the citizenry. Sometimes praying for our leaders is difficult. Perhaps we are in disagreement with our leaders. Perhaps we think their lives are so far from God that we think there is no hope for them. Perhaps we think their vision for the country is different than ours. That does not change Paul’s charge to us as believers.”  Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International.

And what is that charge from God’s Word, that is not a suggestion but a command?

“I urge, then, first of all, 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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV.

This is an invitation to serious non-partisan prayer. ‘Partisan’ is simple to trace, meaning ‘part’ or to side with one part against another, ‘partisans’ sometimes used interchangeably with ‘guerillas’ in civil warfare. We are being increasingly divided as a nation, Americans pitted against each other. We need to unite in a non-partisan way and intercede between now and the election.

For seven days of non-partisan prayer

grounded in Scripture for leadership go to: prmi.org,

scroll down to “Latest Posts,”

then scroll down to “Prayer for our Leaders in Government.”

Reflective question: Will you commit to pray daily from now to the election for our country’s leadership? If so, use the seven-day guide at the web site above.

Reflective Scripture: See 1 Timothy 2:1-4 above for whom to pray, and explicit reasons why such prayers are directly related to our own daily existence in this country.

Reflective hymn:

“God Bless America” – Irving Berlin (1888-1989

God bless America, land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,

God bless America, my home sweet home,

God bless America, my home sweet home.