No matter your political persuasion we can most likely agree on one thing – our world has a crisis of leadership. This crisis has affected all political parties, most companies, and even church leaders (which is not surprising anymore).
These failed leaders impact our own lives by more government regulations and a scar on our Christian witness.
1 Timothy addresses this issue concerning leadership and its impact on us.
We read in 1 Timothy 1:18-19:
This chage I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience… (ESV)
Paul then writes that one of the ways to fulfill this charge is by prayer:
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… (1 Timothy 2:1-2; ESV).
In today’s North American language that would be to pray for our political leaders (i.e. president, mayor), Christian leaders (i.e. bishop, pastors), corporate leaders (i.e. CEOs, regional managers), military leaders, and other persons that have a leadership role in our lives.
So why should we pray for these leaders?
Paul answers:
…[so] that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:2; ESV)
Praying to God concerning our leaders and participating with what God wants to do on earth directly impacts our life.
Now, there is no promise that when we pray all our troubles will go away. When we pray God does not promise that our leadership will change or that our circumstances will change, but when we pray we find God’s peace to sustain us through the circumstances.
When we pray we participate with what God is wanting to do on this earth. And it is in this participation that we find peace to sustain us through circumstances that are beyond our control.
And when we can live in God’s peace (shalom) we can live godly and dignified lives – which our text says is “…good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:3; ESV).
Praying for leaders in our life has a direct impact on our ability to live peaceful and quiet lives which enables us to live godly and dignified.
But isn’t our life more complex then Paul’s life?
Well, when Paul wrote about leaders the Roman Emperor was Nero. Yes, the one who persecuted Christians and had Peter and Paul executed. He also had his own mother killed and his first wife killed, plus he had sex with all sorts of people.
But Paul says pray for those in high positions so that we can live peaceful quiet lives.
No matter who our leaders are prayer changes our worldly outlook to a Christ-centered outlook. God did not change Paul’s situation, but his point-of-view was shaped through prayer.
So no matter our political persuasion or our position in the workplace – we should pray for our leaders!
Lord, we ask you to guide our leaders in godly wisdom.
Lord, we ask you to protect our leaders as they make decisions that impact our world.
Lord, we ask you to raise up godly leaders who truly fear You.
Lord, we thank you for our leaders.
Yes Sir…..and Amen…..and, join the leadership movement….without out our participation in leadership (within the church and in secular setting)..we are not contributing to the conversations of forward movement……