In the Bible, God challenges us to look at our world in a different way. This includes our views on politics. Where should we begin when we consider government, politics, or voting? The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:1-2:
We must begin with prayer, interceding and pleading with God for our rulers!
The New Testament was written under the cruel and despotic rule of the Roman emperors. There was no democracy at that time. Many of the governors were unjust, dangerous, unstable and even sadistic. Therefore, the common people had no protection against the impulses and whims of those who governed them. Paul himself, who wrote these verses, suffered greatly under unrighteous leaders. Still, he recommended praying for rulers. Why?
A quiet and peaceful life
It is sensible to pray for rulers. Even in the best of democracies we cannot guarantee that the elected leaders will be good people. We can be deceived by lying and ruthless people. It also happens on some occasions that our preferred candidate loses. We cannot alter that reality, but we can have an influence in another way: by praying!
If we want to live a quiet life with dignity and peace, it is very important to fulfill our responsibility to pray for the rulers. God has power to change the hearts of even the worst of leaders. Where there is no hope, our prayers can help bring about amazing change.
The first Christians prayed fervently for their rulers and a miracle happened: the Roman Empire went from being a persecutor to being a promoter of Christianity. let us pray with faith. Still today, God wants to transform governments and nations. Let’s be part of what he wants to do in our land today.
In a democracy every Christian has the opportunity to participate actively in the politics of his country. That is a great privilege! But above all, we must put God at the center and pray for the rulers to have wisdom and to make an effort to guarantee a peaceful and just life for all.
Prayer for the rulers is the first step for change.
Some verses that will help us pray
O God, grant your justice to the king, your righteousness to the crown prince. Thus he will judge your people with justice and will do justice to your poor.
The king will do justice to the poor of the people and save the needy; he will crush the oppressors!
Without leadership, the nation fails; success depends on the many counselors.
In the hands of the Lord, the king’s heart is like a river: it follows the course that the Lord has laid out for it.
He changes times and epochs, sets and deposes kings. To the wise he gives wisdom, and to the intelligent, discernment.
You kings be wise; let yourselves be taught, rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear; with trembling give him praise.
Also, seek the well-being of the city where I have deported you, and pray to the Lord for it, because your well-being depends on the well-being of the city.
Give everyone due respect: love the brothers, fear God, respect the king.