These people need prayer . . .

Leviticus 15; Psalm 18; Proverbs 29; 2 Thessalonians 3

The Bible has much to say about praying for other Christians but says very little about praying for anyone else — except that I’m to pray for kings and other leaders. For many, this is a challenge. However, this verse set me thinking about how to pray for people in high places:

“If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” (Proverbs 29:12)

First, this is a proverb: a short saying stating a general truth or piece of advice. Biblical proverbs are just that and since the author, King Solomon, was considered the wisest man of his day, these sayings are expressions of his God-given wisdom.

He has much to say about leaders in this OT book. As a king, he was aware of what rulers need. He gives many ideas of God’s will for them that help me know how to pray during these days when all world leaders are in the hot seat.

For instance, the one above urges me to pray that our Prime Minister and the US President will not listen to falsehood. If they hold to the truth, those who work with them will be more apt to do the same. There is more . . .

• Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) Pray for righteousness in our leadership. If they sin, everyone suffers shame and disgrace. This concept is reinforced:

• It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. (Proverbs 16:12–13)

• A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. (Proverbs 28:16) Pray that our leaders understand reality, other people, what is happening and what to do about it. Pray for God’s enlightenment so they are not duped in any way. Pray also that they will not be lured by anything that seems a gain yet unjustly takes advantage of others.

• A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Proverbs 14:35) Pray that our leaders will recognize those who come before them with wise, just and honorable ideas and they will honor such efforts. These qualities might seem a rare commodity in political circles so leaders can be suspicious of every idea, yet God can give discernment. Pray also for wisdom as they deal with those who have ulterior motives and are not considering that the outcome of their plans might bring shame to the nation.

• The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1) Pray that leaders recognize the sovereignty of God over their lives and decisions. Pray that they will seek His will rather than assume every thought and plan they have is the right one. Ask God to always speak to their hearts. Better that a person obeys God willingly than be oblivious to His plans.

• Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:5–7) Pray that all people in high places will realize they are accountable to God and that God rewards those who obey Him. This could bring peace rather than hostility from enemies.

The wife of a respected college professor listened to praise from one of his students. Then she said, “Don’t forget that he is a mere man who puts his pants on one leg at a time.” She gently pointed out that even the greatest of leaders has a sinful heart and if their self-centeredness is allowed to rule, it will ruin his life. It is true for all of us, and true for leaders.

 
In my opinion, being a leader and under the public eyes (and sharp tongues) makes living righteously more difficult, especially for those who are concerned about their ratings. They want to lead the best they can but are fearful of losing support at the polls. All our leaders might do a far better job if we give them our support on our knees.

APPLY: Obvious. Go pray.

The perils of turning away from God

In a conversation about the mess in our world, particularly in North America, I said that when a nation turns its back on God, it always falls apart. The person I was talking to looked at me as if I had two heads.

History confirms this idea, and the Bible verifies it. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” This is from the ESV. The New Living Translation is even clearer: “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

How has God been abandoned? Some examples: Prayer is forbidden in schools and many public gatherings. Where allowed, it is watered down so that praying “in the name of Jesus” is not allowed. Bible reading is frowned upon in many places and Scripture cannot be quoted. When guidance is needed, many people turn to all sorts of ‘experts’ and some consult their daily horoscope, but not God.

This is not new. In the OT, God’s people even did it. The prophet wrote:

And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness. (Isaiah 8:19–22)

When trouble came, they spoke against God as if He were their enemy. They looked to the earth, to other resources, but their troubles increased.

The Bible has many examples, but rather than point to more of them, I am thinking about the one resource God has given me and how much it has blessed and changed my life. His Word is my ‘how to’ or Manufacturer’s manual, given to me by my Creator so I know how to live enjoying His blessings. Yes, there are trials, but in those trials, I know His love and care. Walking as He wants me to walk produces great joy rather than distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14–17)

I began reading the Bible each day when I was about thirteen. My mother did it, and I thought that was the right thing to do. While it took years before Jesus came into my life and I better understood what I was reading, I’m aware of His hand on my life all those years, and certainly ever since.

I’m also blessed and amazed at the way God blesses those who suffer because their trust is in Him. Consider the people in Texas who are saying that the Lord has taken care of them. They have lost all their possessions, but not their ability and desire to praise God. Compare them to those who have turned their backs on God, those who raise their fists in anger, those who even loot the homes of people who have already lost everything. They mock the mercy of God to their peril.

Magnify these contrasting attitudes in an entire nation. Think of the countries who say NO to God and yes to the so-called freedom of being without religion. How far they fall! Even as they wallow in lawlessness and poverty, they refuse to honor Him. On the other hand, those who seek His face are persecuted by the state and even by their own family members as if they are the scum of the earth. People who oppose the Lord seldom realize that God is not the cause of their misery; rejecting God is destroying them.

Following Jesus means being taught God’s ways, and corrected when in error. He trains His people in righteousness, and makes us complete and enabled to do good. Abandoning the Lord means going the way of sin, refusing correction, welcoming unrighteousness, yet feeling incomplete and unhappy, and without the ability to know the difference between good and evil. Apply that to a whole nation and no wonder God says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I am praying for many parts of the world that have lost any vision of You that they once had, and for those in darkness. Give them light from You, and from those who know and trust You. I don’t need to be an historian to realize that You exalt those who exalt You. Those who insist on going their own way are reaping the results as they wallow in sin and the consequences of sin. What can I say? How can I pray? Much of our world is in trouble. Help me understand and pray in Your will for individuals and for entire nations.