The Biblical Mandate to Pray for Our Government

I.                  Religion and Politics

 It is important before we begin that we deal with the common question, “Can we, or should we mix, religion and politics?”  Many of us were brought up being taught that these two parts of our lives should not intersect, that they should remain separated in our thoughts and actions.  Discussing either one of these topics at a social gathering or even the dinner table has traditionally been taboo, much less discussing them at the same time. 

Let me be clear about this from the start.  The answer to the question “Can we, or should we, mix religion and politics” is YES; not just yes, but we MUST!  If our religion and spiritual convictions do not lead us and guide us in our actions and behavior, then our religion is dormant, weak, and insignificant in our lives. 

 James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

 James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

 Paul states in I Timothy that one of the primary things that we should pray for, intercede for, is our government officials.

 I Tim. 2:1-4, “1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

 Paul gives us five reasons for praying for our government, or mixing our spiritual lives and political lives.

1. That Christians may lead quiet and peaceable lives

2. That Christians may live godly, righteous lives, full of holy fear

3. It is right, good, and acceptable in the sight of God

4. That people may saved

5. That people may come to a knowledge of truth

 Intercession for our government and its officials is not just an option, but it is one of the key ingredients if revival is going to sweep this nation.  When we fully shift into governmental intercession we will fully shift the government! 

 II.               Teach Us How To Pray

 When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He taught them first who to pray to – the Father.

 Luke 11:2, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The word “Father” that Jesus used in Luke 11 is the Hebrew word “Abba”.  This word is most often understood as a little child’s word “Daddy”, making it primarily used in the context of personal intimacy with God.  Though this is true, the word “Father” has a much wider use. 

The first mention in the Hebrew Bible of the idea of God as the Father is found in the story of Moses and Pharaoh. 

Ex. 4:22-23, “22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘…Israel is My son, My firstborn.  23…let My son go that he may serve me.’”

So when Jesus is telling these young Jewish men to pray to the Father, He’s telling them to appeal to the One who brought Israel out of the bondage of an oppressive and evil government.  He was encouraging them to, as N.T. Wright puts it, “hold on to the hope of liberty.”

 So the first word in the prayer of Jesus was one that carried with it revolution, not just intimacy! 

III.           Prayers for Our Government

 Here are just a few examples of prayers from the scriptures that are good to pray for our nation, government, and leaders.

 II Chron. 7:14, “… if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Psalm 2:10-12, “10 “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” 

 Psalm 72:1-2, “1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s son.  2 [That] he will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice.”

 Joel 2:28, “…I [the Lord] will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

Col. 1:9-11, “9 …that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;”