Do you pray for the leaders of your nation?
When you pray for others, who do you pray for? Your spouse? Your children? Maybe family members, friends or people around who don’t know Jesus yet?
But do you ever pray for people in power? Like the prime minister, members of parliament, the mayor of your city or the local MLAs? They carry a lot of responsibility and must make countless difficult decisions daily. They can surely use our prayers.
When Queen Esther faced the greatest dilemma and most daunting task she would ever have to undertake as Queen, she asked her people to pray and fast for her. She told her cousin, Mordecai:
‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.’ – Esther 4:16
We’ve been given a similar task to pray for the people who rule over us. Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2:
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.
And the prophet Ezra said something similar:
Pray for the well-being of the king and his sons. – Ezra 6:10 NIV
Take a moment today to follow God’s command and pray for people in power. Pray they will receive God’s wisdom and guidance, that they will lead with integrity and justice and that they will experience God’s peace in their hearts.
Meanwhile, I will pray the same for you!
