Difficult times clearly reveal those who truly believe the teaching of God’s Word regarding His providential control over all things in heaven and on earth. It is easy to say that we believe God is in control of all things, but it is quite another to bow to this sovereign truth when things do not turn out the way we think they should.
However, it’s during these difficult times that our trust in the Word of God becomes manifest by our actions. Scripture calls on every believer to pray for all whom God, in His glorious providence, raises up to power and authority.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
I faithfully prayed for President Trump for four years, and now I will faithfully pray for President Biden. No, I did not vote for Mr. Biden. I voted for President Trump. Nevertheless, my King, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only One to whom I bow my knees, commands me and every believer to faithfully pray for our rulers.
Notice the text does not say to pray only for those you like or voted for, but to pray for “all who are in authority” in order “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” When the Apostle Paul wrote this text, Nero Caesar, a wretched beast of a ruler, was dominating the Roman Empire and was killing Christians left and right. In calling Christians to pray for all rulers and those in authority, the Apostle Paul reveals his stanch trust in the sovereign appointment of God over all things.
He also reveals the truth that God has determined to use the prayers of His saints to affect change in the lives of people, both in salvation and sanctification. After all, when God changes a man’s mind, He changes the way the man lives his life. Pray that God would regenerate the souls of our unbelieving rulers so they would bow their knees to the true King, the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow after righteousness by seeking first the Kingdom of God.
Are you a person who believes God’s Word? Well then, do you pray for those whom God has raised up to the office of authority? It is our Christian duty, responsibility, and privilege to pray to God for those in authority. Christian, faithfully pray for President Biden and all those in authority in our nation in order “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry