Praying for Leaders

     Another day with news of more deaths in our country and around the world due to COVID19 brings despair.  At first, we were told that the virus is worse on elderly, but as each day comes to an end, we witness a virus with no respect to an age limit.  Yes, COVID19 is hard on people with pre-existing health problems, but it is also taking the lives of healthy young adults.  This virus has proven to be a boomerang that sails back everyday hitting the moral and spirit of all on the front lines of this battle and our leaders.  As we pray for the areas hardest hit and the health care workers, we should also be praying for all the leaders.  Decisions are being made from our president down to the administrators over each hospital.  They aren’t in the hospitals with the nurses and doctors who are working tirelessly, but each decision they make affects each one of us.  It is not an easy load to carry.  Imagine the burden of facing each day with the burden of facing the world not knowing what COVID19 will do.  Imagine facing your hospital, your city, your state, and the people of your nation everyday with death and despair all around.  Oh!  Yes!  We need to pray for our leaders.

     In my Bible study yesterday, I was reading I Timothy 2:1-8.  Note this is a letter from Paul, the apostle, to young Timothy, a preacher, to give instruction for the church.  Here are verses one through three in my words.  “First of all, I encourage you and the church that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for everyone; including kings and all that are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God and Savoir.”

     These verses don’t say pray for “me.”  These verses instruct the body of the church to pray for all.  Don’t get absorbed in your needs, because it only leads to despair.  Look around at the needs of others and reach out in prayer and action to help.  Then, notice that we are to pray for our president, governors, and mayors, so ‘we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.’  Our nation needs to pray for our leaders as they carry the burden of decisions and the tragedy facing our nation.  I understand that all in our nation don’t believe in God nor do they pray.  Instead, we notice that they are filled with hateful words and thoughts, not ‘a quiet and peaceable life.’  The results of their hate and cruel words does not bring the nation together.  However, if those who have the love of God in them will pray for all our leaders as instructed in these verses, the view you have of the leaders will change, because when you pray for someone earnestly, God changes your heart and attitude towards that person.  

     Even with our prayers, the burdens of the nation will still be on the leaders’ shoulders as the virus runs it’s coarse through our lives, but our hope and faith will assure us that all will be well as we give all these burdens to our Lord and Savior.  Prayer will not solve all the problems, but prayer gives direction and hope.  Hope, because I believe my God will hear our prayers and give direction to all the leaders in this battle against COVID19.  I have hope in our prayers for our leaders, because I know my savior, Jesus Christ our mediator, will answer our prayers.  So, no matter where you are, include our president, governors, mayors, and hospital administrators in your prayers.  ‘Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without anger and doubting.’ (verse 8)

I Timothy 2:4-6 

Jesus desires for all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  The truth is that there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.