Prayer Points: Those in Authority

Prayer Point 11.17.24

“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

Coming off of the recent elections where many of us were fervently praying for our country and leaders, it’s easy to lose some “steam”. We prayed, we watched, and many of us received the answer we sought. We must not, however, relax in our attitude of diligently praying for ALL those in authority. The work of praying cannot become less important in the days and months ahead. The work has only just begun.

The Word doesn’t instruct us to pray only for those leaders who are sympathetic with our views. When Paul wrote 1st Timothy, Nero was sitting on the seat of power in Rome. The Roman emperor is known for having his people worship him as a god. Nothing could be more contrary to the Christian Ethos.

In Romans 13 (Romans was written around the same time as Paul’s epistle to Timothy) we read that we are to be “subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God…”

I believe that success in the church (i.e. the church accomplishing the mission) is less about the influence of the person in authority, and more about God’s power being released through prayer. We see this clearly in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament.

Ezra begins with Israel in captivity to Babylon. Babylon, like Rome was a pagan empire. Yet it is through Cyrus king of Persia (Babylon is a part of Persia), that God brings about the restoration of worship in Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. In fact, in the book of Ezra we read about 3 different kings that God used to bring about His divine purpose… Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. In Ezra 1:1 we read that “the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia…” and later in verse 2 that God “has commanded [Cyrus] to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.” The results being Israel being supplied with everything they need to rebuild the temple and restore worship in Jerusalem.

It is interesting to note the important role that prayer takes in both the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as the reconstruction is taking place. Whenever they need something, they ask God for it (Ezra 8:21-23). King Darius writes in his letter of his desire that they pray for his life and for his family (Ezra 6:9-10).

Proverbs 21:1 says “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

What is the key to the king’s heart being directed by the Lord? Prayer.

Jesus instructs us in Luke 11:2-4 how to pray, and He includes asking God that “His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Prayer determines whether or not the kingdom of heaven is made manifest on the earth, making it our responsibility.

Hudson Taylor, the famous British missionary to China said “It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone.” Prayer is vital in the work that we have been given to complete on this earth. And a large part of the usefulness of prayer in bringing about God’s will is it’s power to influence leaders and events on a world scale.

J. Oswald Sanders writes in his book, “Spiritual Leadership”

“… if prayers cannot influence the course of events, why pray?… When God commands us to pray ‘for kings and those in authority,’ there is implied power to influence the course of men and events.”*

As we pray for those in authority both here in the United States, and around the world we must understand that doors are being opened for the Gospel to be preached and for people to be reached. We can pray that “all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:4) knowing that God can influence the political arena to this effect through our prayers.

“In prayer, we deal directly with God and only in a secondary sense other people… prayer moves others through God’s influence on them. It is not our prayer that moves people, but the God to whom we pray.”*

As we pray for those in Authority in our country and in Spain, God is opening new ways for the Gospel to be preached. New opportunities are being made available to go where no one has yet gone.

*J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007), 106, 108.

Thank you for partnering with us to reach the nations! When you partner with us, YOU GO with us, sharing the Gospel of hope with the lost, making disciples, and reaping a harvest for the Lord Jesus!

Amen!