A Prayer for Leaders You Didn’t Choose
You hear a decision from someone in authority, and your mind starts turning. You may feel thankful, concerned, frustrated, or unsure. Those reactions can become a place to begin praying.
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul asks for prayers for all people, including:
for kings and all those in authority,
(1 Timothy 2:2, NIV, excerpt)
He connects this prayer with the hope of peaceful, godly life. The passage then turns our attention to God's desire for people to be saved and to Jesus, the one mediator who gave Himself for others. Even people with great responsibility need the Savior.
Pray for the person and the people affected
Name the leader before God. Ask for wisdom, humility, honesty, and care for those affected by their decisions. Pray that wrongdoing will be confronted and that what is just and good will flourish.
You can also ask God to guide your own response. Faithful participation in community life calls for truthful words, thoughtful action, and concern for your neighbors. Prayer can help you bring those responsibilities before the Lord with a steadier heart.
This can become a simple family practice. Pray for a local official or another public leader by name, then remember the people whose daily lives are touched by their work.
A prayer
Father, give those in authority wisdom and integrity. Protect people who are vulnerable, restrain evil, and establish what is good. Help our leaders know Christ, and guide us in truthful, loving action. Amen.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-6 in the NIV.
Keep reading
- Micah 6:8 in Context: Justice, Mercy, and Humility
- Romans 12:9 in Context: Hate Evil and Cling to Good
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