Beth-El Baptist Church

09/16/2012

Greg Tomlinson


How should we pray for our political leaders?


I had heard that the number of subscribing members to the “Presidential Prayer Team” decreased greatly when President Barak Obama took office. Perhaps it was because many felt that President Obama was not a believer and they could not or should not pray for an unbelieving leader in government. Especially when dealing with an unbelieving government leader, there needs to be clarity on whether to pray and discernment on what to pray for.


  1. Should we pray for unbelieving political leaders?

1 Samuel 12:20-25; 15:24-31; 16:1 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Acts 9:11-17 Matthew 5:44-45

Ezra 6:3-10 Genesis 20:6-7


The Old Testament is our examples. Although Saul was not a Godly king, we can be assured that Samuel did pray for Saul. He confirmed to the people that though they acted wickedly in asking for a king that he would pray for them. After it was known that Saul would be rejected as king over Israel, Samuel continued to mourn over Saul, indicating that Samuel continually prayed for Saul even after the wickedness of his heart was exposed. Furthermore, Paul urged that prayers be made for all people, mentioning “kings and all those in authority” specifically. Given the time and the conditions of the nation of Israel, these authority figures were most definitely unbelievers, many cruel as the book of Acts can attest. Jesus specifically tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Even the most wicked leader is to be prayed for.


  1. What do our political leaders need that we should pray for?

Romans 13:1-6 1 Timothy 2:1-5

Luke 21:34-36 1 Kings 3:6-10

Proverbs 21:1


The scriptures do give us some specific things that we can pray for any leader. We can pray that every political leader recognizes that his role as leader comes from God to act as a servant of God. The results of the political leader's judgments are to be a reflection of the Word of God in order that we are able to live a quite and peaceable life. We are also to pray for the salvation of those who do not know the Lord and for continuing in the grace of God for those who do. We are to pray that our political leaders receive from the LORD and wise and discerning heart. This will enable him to make true judgments that are in line with the Word of God. We are to also pray that the Lord will move the heart of the political leader in the paths of truth and righteousness.


  1. Will God hear when we pray for wicked political leaders?

Romans 8:26-30 John 14:12-14; 15:16; 16:22-24

2 Chronicles 7:14 1 John 5:14-15


God will hear the prayers of His people as they are translated into the perfect prayers by the work of the Holy Spirit. For our prayers to be truly answered as we pray, we must pray according to the will of God. This can only occur as we draw nearer to God, obeying His voice, and coming to a place of perfect unity in understanding the will of God. Our prayers are not heard as we try to hide sin in our own heart.


  1. Is there a need to pray for “godly” political leaders?

Romans 1:9 1 Corinthians 15:58


Just as Paul prayed for other believers as he notes in his leaders, we ought to pray for other believers, even if they are Christian leaders. We need to pray that they will remain steadfast in the faith and unmovable in obedience to the high calling of God. It can be challenging to NOT compromise when pressured from all around to make compromises. Many people claim that politics is a game of compromise. Pray that they do not compromise where God has spoken and where they should not compromise.