3:224 – Pray For Our Leaders

#faithbites #faithjourney leaders

Setting

Being a letter isn’t easy. You may voluntarily take the job but doing it is not voluntary. Then no matter what you chose there will be people who like your style and people who hate it. People who applaud your decisions and people who hate them. 

I’ll admit, I’m hypercritical of our President as I don’t like his style, his decisions, or his conduct. At the same time, I would never want to have that job. There is no way to “win” as someone will always be against what you are doing. This doesn’t excuse bad behavior, just a fact about decision making. This goes beyond our President, it includes all politicians, clergy, social organizations, friends, or anything where someone has a defined or assumed leadership role. 

Let’s look at what the Bible says for how we should treat our leaders.

Scripture

• 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
• Romans 13:1-6 -Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
• Titus 3:1-2 -Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Reflection

The first scripture is pretty straight forward. Let’s pray for our leader so that they may rule in a Godly way and we all leave in peace. That is something we all should love and want. The second two are much harder especially because of who we are as Americans. We are born as a nation of rebels, people who fight for their rights.  The question is can we protest and try to change the government while being submissive to rulers and authorities? Can we do so in a way that speaks no evil, avoids quarreling, is gentle, and shows perfect courtesy? 

I believe we can though I don’t know of a time in American history when we’ve done it. Granted right now seems even worse. No matter what someone says or mistakes they make when they are in leadership, they are chastised and “cast out”. There is my leader and your leader. We talk on message boards, behind people’s backs, and jump on every work or gaffe.

I am no saint in this matter. I fall so far short of this. From my supervisor to my government leaders, I have quarreled, said evil words, and was far from gentle. I don’t like that I’m not following scripture on this and want to get better. I want to learn how to live biblically AND challenge respectfully. This will be a challenge for me. 

Challenge

The challenge for us is to remember that God wants us to support our leaders, and when we disagree, challenge appropriately and with kindness. I don’t have all the answers or know when to quote Roadhouse “Be Nice until I tell you it’s not time to be nice”. Let us think about that, pray on it, and ask forgiveness when we fail. 

Prayer

Father God, help your people to support and respect our leaders no matter what role they fill. Be with us as we balance policy decisions versus personal characteristics. Help us to know how to challenge rules, policies, and situations that are unjust while still showing love, and promoting peace. In our world, examples of this behavior is hard to find. Be our example and help us see others who are working and living in this way. In your name we pray, Amen.