Praying For Leaders

Depending on your news source the current President of the United States is either the greatest thing since sliced bread or the worst president in the history of presidents. Or someplace between those two extremes. Taking a longer view of history, say four years ago, and looking at the news then a person could have reached a similar conclusion. And I imagine that for all the esteem with which we hold George Washington in today that in his own day there was a group of people who felt he should have been America's last choice instead of its first.

 Presidents come, and presidents go. Not only is that true at a national level but that is also true here on the reservation, where the Jicarilla Apache Nation is electing a president this summer. As with our national election, they may re-elect the current president or choose to have someone else serve in that office.

Regardless of who fills the office in either place one thing I do know is that as a Christian I am called to pray for that person. I subscribe to something that sends me guidance in prayer each day, drawn from the writings of Matthew Henry. Yesterday's email had this so say about praying for our leaders:

"For my nation's Head of State, that God will protect his person, preserve his health, and continue his life and government long a public blessing."

That intro was followed by this prayer:

"Give our ruler your justice, O God, and your righteousness, (Psalm 72:1) that he may defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. (Psalm 72:4)

Let his rule be established with righteousness, (Proverbs 25:5) and upheld with steadfast love. (Proverbs 20:28) Give him long life and length of days forever and ever, and let his glory be great through your salvation. Make him glad with the joy of your presence: through the steadfast love of the Most High let him not be moved. (Psalm 21:4-7)"

Paul, writing Timothy, gives some instruction in prayer, saying this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

We live in a time when public discourse seems to be particularly harsh and partisan. Looking back historically I imagine that there have always been partisan voices making their opinions known but in our day it is so easy for virtually anyone to speak their mind publically and widely. Neither John Calhoun or Daniel Webster had access to Twitter.

The words of Paul to Timothy and the prayer suggestions of Matthew Henry ground me as a disciple of Jesus. That is the identity I must have as I approach the Lord in prayer, be it to pray for leaders or any other thing.

No matter where you may sit on the political spectrum I invite you, as my sister or brother in Christ, to pray for your leaders, at every level of government. We may differ about this particular person or that particular way of handling an issue, but may we agree at the end of the day that God's will be done through them, to God's glory.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.