In my devotions today, there was a Scripture that really stuck out to me:

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

- 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Powerful, wouldn’t you say? In the Word of God, it instructs us believers to pray for those in authority. Now, I don’t think I need to spell it out for it to be made clear. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t vote for the man or want his policies or government… It’s asking us to pray for our president, for our pastor, for our leaders.

Anyone in authority should be interceeded for by the saints of the Lord, so that we may live peaceful. It’s common sense when spelled out plainly in the Word of God. Yet I’ve noticed bigotry and self-righteousness in our country, among believers where we tend to criticize those in authority, almost wishing them failure. Frankly, I don’t see how praying for someone’s failure will somehow bring this country back to success. Why would God answer such a debilitating prayer and on whose account?

Indeed my repentance from such behavior is necessary, for I too was quick to judge and scorn when those from the past were in authority.

Now I realize, with bold-faced humility, that this quick reaction to judge and wish evil upon our nation’s and church leaders is part of the devil’s tactic. In the Word, it clearly says that the devil is here to “kill, steal, and destroy. To divide a nation, divide a church, divide a youth ministry when the people are not in unity. Well, I pray that I–we, wake up from our self-righteous sleep and start interceding for our leaders.

A man once said that “no matter the leader or president… They will not stop God’s purpose from being fulfilled in our world, in our lives.” An example would be Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) versus King Nebuchadnezzar. The leader was far from righteous, yet Daniel prayed for the nation–prayed for the people (Daniel 2:17). Because of that, even the leader could not stop from giving praise to God on many ocassions.

I want to be that intercessor for this nation. Will you join me?