Local Leaders Need Our Prayers, Too

“The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)

I can’t think of another time in my life when citizens have united so solidly behind our government. President Bush enjoys the highest approval rating ever held by a sitting American President and pastors across the country are urging their members to pray for our nation.

It’s been nice to see our country turn to prayer. Sadly, however, a lot of Christians never seem to look up until they are on their backs, full of doubt and fear. We know that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose, so in a good way, perhaps what happened on September 11th will convince us to view prayer as a matter of first resort rather than a matter of last resort.

Leaders in our communities need our prayers every bit as much as those in Washington and New York. We are commanded by Jesus himself to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, which means we have two citizenships, one eternal and one that will end when we cross the other side. So while we’re here, we must uphold our government not only in duty, but also in prayer. Even Paul once instructed a young pastor, “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…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Whether they lead our communities or our nation, we should ask God to help our leaders make just and wise decisions; show mercy and charity to those in need; be honest and single-minded in purpose and in action; wield power with the responsibility and seriousness of the positions they occupy; and be god-fearing people in both word and deed.

I’ve worked around politics for over twenty-five years and have seen the best and the worst in political leaders. Many will tell you that a good leader is one who has a vision, the ability to communicate that vision, and the charisma to convince others to pursue it. I don’t disagree, but there are more important qualities that I want to see in those who lead our communities. So during this election season, commit the following to prayer.

Pray for righteous and god-fearing leaders: 2 Samuel 23:3 says “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of the morning at sunrise… like the brightness after the rain…”

Pray that our leaders will not seek to profit from the influence they have: Deuteronomy 17:16-17 reads, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself…He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

Pray for leaders who are wise and have teachable spirits: The psalmist wrote, “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:10-11)

Pray for loving and faithful leaders and remember what Solomon once said: “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” (Proverbs 20:28)

Pray that our leaders will turn their backs on the trappings of power: The Bible says that “By justice a king gives the country stability; but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.” (Proverbs 29:4)

Pray that our leaders will be charitable and compassionate towards the poor: Remember what the Apostle Paul said, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Finally, pray that our leaders will surround themselves with those who give sound advice, for as the psalmist once observed, “Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, not sit in the seat of scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1)