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The Christian and the State
By Mark Roth on May 13, 2010 at 9:42 am
Intercession
Although the responsibility of intercession is mentioned last, it is perhaps the most important. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1,2).
In addition to giving thanks, what should be our specific petitions when we pray for civil rulers? Consider these:
*Pray that they may make it possible for us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (v. 2). God desires this for us and ask us to pray about it.
*Pray for the personal salvation of civil leaders. God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (v. 4). While it is not our place to judge or to say no civil rulers are true Christians, their responsibilities include retributive action forbidden by our Lord for His followers. God wants all men to be saved and live in obedience to Christ, and He has told us to pray for their salvation.
*Pray that God will give rulers wisdom and direction. They have many difficult decisions to make.
*Pray for those who vote, that God’s will be accomplished in the setting up of rulers. God will hold sway over the hearts and minds of men and thus over the affairs of the nation as we pray. We may say we believe in praying instead of voting, but how well have we put our belief into practice? Think of the time, energy, and money spent in campaigning. How would our time and energy in prayer compare?
In the days of Sodom, who had more influence–Lot at the city gates, or Abraham in intercessory prayer to God? Even the angels who came to Sodom immediately preceding its destruction did not try to reform Sodom; instead, they tried to get Lot and his family out of it. Let us be intercessors, as was Abraham. And let’s snatch out souls for the Lord instead of trying to vote in good men and laws.
Excerpted from: The Christian and the State
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