Praying for Our Leaders: What the Bible Says

3 Key Scriptures on Praying for Our Leaders


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Praying for Our Leaders: What the Bible Says

Praying for Our Leaders

When scripture talks about praying for our leaders, it originally used words like 'kings' and 'magistrates.' Today, who does that scripture apply to?

Greetings fellow Christians and potential Christians ... I hope this message finds you bestowing the same Love and Grace that we have been given by our Lord with others that you encounter.

Today, I would like to share thoughts on a particular message from the Apostle Paul found in Romans 13:1-6 that has had many Christians lift an eyebrow. I share this because Paul warns that there is danger of damnation concerning the matter. So, grab your Bible and let's read the six verses together as to seek and find the truth, shall we?

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Some believe that this refers to the leaders of countries. To them, it seems to be saying that these worldly leaders have been "ordained" by God. You may want to look up the word "ordained" if you like. As I understand it, the Biblical definition means that they were given religious authority and in this case, by God, but it could also have other meanings. Hmmmmmmm ... Let's look at the next verse, shall we?

Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

See, here is the concerning part of Paul's message to Christians and the reason for my message to you today. Again ... Paul says that "damnation" is to be received by those who resist the power of these entities, whoever they are. So it seems to be quite wise to find out who Paul is referring to when he says "higher powers" as to avoid resisting them.

If Paul is referring to earthly world leaders ... Are we to believe that ALL world leaders were ordained by God? Does this include Hitler, who killed approximately six million Jewish men, women and even children? Are we to imagine our loving Heavenly Father would choose to empower an evil man such as Hitler to carry out this horrible act? That sounds questionable at best, but we will carry on with an open mind. We best do more Biblical research.

Paul was writing to the Christians during the period of time when Romans ruled the Jewish people. Was Paul asking them not to resist the Roman leaders who were killing Christians at that time, including many of the Apostles themselves? Was Paul asking these Christians (and us as well) to believe that God ordained the rulers of the Roman Empire to conquer and torment His chosen people? That seems like a tall order to be asking of the followers, friends and family of the slain.

But, again we come with an open mind and to be fair ... God has allowed evil rulers of the past to harm the Jewish people for disobedience, such as Nebuchadnezzar who was the king of Babylon. He destroyed the Temple of God built by Solomon in about 587 BC and it was God's punishment for the Jewish people as the prophets shared. But, allowing and "ordaining" are two different things, right? Nebuchadrezzar was called a "servant" of God:

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

Another scripture confirms that Nebuchadrezzar was even chosen by God:

Jeremiah 27:5-6

5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
6 And now HAVE I GIVEN all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

Note that it is also saying that God created everyone and will choose who He wants to do what He wants done.

So, Nebuchadrezzar was a "servant" of God and was used to punish His chosen people Israel, but remember we seek the identity of the "higher powers" that Paul was referring to and we must discern properly as to avoid "resisting" these entities bringing forth damnation. Let's look at the next verse to see if there are any more clues given to the identify these "higher powers."

Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Ok, so the "higher powers" IS referring to rulers. But, who are these rulers? Is Paul referring to world leaders? We best continue seeking more evidence as we continue our quest for truth. Now, this next verse gives us a major piece of our puzzle. So let's buckle up ...

Romans 13:4

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

A "minister of God for good" and "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" ... Ok, perhaps Nebuchadrezzar could be deemed as a revenger used by the Lord to execute punishment upon the Jewish people for doing evil. But, what about Hitler? Was he a "minister of God for good" and a "revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" and if so what had the Jewish people done in the 1940's for Hitler to be "ordained" by God to kill six million souls? I gotta tell you, I just cannot accept that as being truth. So, who in the world is Paul referring to? Let us look at the next two verses together:

Romans 13:5-6

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are GOD'S MINISTERS, attending continually upon this very thing.

Again with the "God's ministers" ... These entities are "attending continually" to God's business and are to receive "tributes" from the Christians at the time. Could tributes be referring to tithes? Could be, but this brings to mind what Jesus said concerning tributes:

Matthew 22:17-21

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny.
20 And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto Him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Let's put all 6 verses together now and see if we can figure out what Paul is saying. Paul is writing to Christians of that time asking them to be subject to and not to resist "God's Ministers" who were ordained by God. What if Paul was talking about the religious leaders who were the leaders of the Body of Christ (Church) at that time. Makes sense, huh? Here is another lil tidbit to consider ...

1 Samuel 8:4-7

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah.
5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

That brings tears to the eyes and heart just reading about it. Imagine how that must have hurt our loving Heavenly Father's feelings. After everything God had done for the Jewish people, they wanted to have a human ruler like the other nations had (known as a king) instead of God being their leader. Of course, God allowed them to have their king with a stern warning and there are still these rulers (of various titles) to this day.

Free will is a rascal, is it not? Given the free will to make our own choices, we seem to end up hurting ourselves and trading up Spiritual blessings for our pride resulting in poor choices. Paul describes this thought process well in Romans 7:15-25 if you want to read what he said. Oh, wretched people that we are. We continue to choose to do that which we know is wrong and do not want to do. We must choose to end this vicious cycle.

Sooooooo ... Paul MAY be warning the Christians (of that time) to obey their Christian leaders. The early Christians were constantly being corrected in the Epistles (letters or messages) from the Apostles including the Book of Revelation which is a vision of John who had a message from the Lord for the Churches of that time, so this theory does make more sense of ALL of the clues we have received.

Consider this ... IF Paul's letter is also written for modern day Christians as well, the message of what Paul shared in Romans 13:1-6 is that Christians are to be "subject" to the religious "rulers" who are deemed as a "minister of God for good" if they are ordained by God (not necessarily those chosen by man) and should not resist the power of these religious entities as to avoid damnation.

IF that is true, what about worldly "kings" (leaders)? I will share this scripture and allow you to interpret it as you will:

1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who [God] will have ALL MEN [and women] to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

To me, this means that we should do just as we are to do for any other of God's children ... Pray for them and seek ways for them to be saved and for God's will be done by them. It may be that some leaders do not obey the Lord and do not choose the path to Salvation and that is between them and our Lord. Our responsibility is to do as we were asked to do for them and all of God's children, so that we will not be found guilty of being disobedient to what we now know that our Lord truly wants (just as the Christians before us did and needed to be reprimanded). So, love all as Jesus has asked of us and you need not fear the damnation spoken of by Paul no matter who the "higher powers" refer to.

That being said ... Make NO mistake. Our Heavenly Father has ordained and anointed Jesus to be our eternal King.

Revelation 18:16

And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

All of our love, adoration, honor and devotion should be given to Jesus, lest you break His heart as the Jewish people did to our Heavenly Father by wanting to replace Him with a worldly human leader in their hearts.

But wait, there is more. Speaking of world leaders ... Biblical prophecy reveals that the time draws near when those who choose a world leader as their king will be the ones crying eternal tears and dwelling in eternal fears. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Don't be scared, be prepared. Be aware, for Antichrist cometh.

If you are interested in End Times Bible studies, here is a link to an absolutely awe inspiring journey through the coming End Times based solely on Biblical prophecy; Prepare for End Times ... Ponder and pray upon what we have learned today.

Take good care, stay rare and continue to share the Word of God with those our Lord brings across your path. We also have a plethora of other SON-derful Christian walk studies, programs, games, books and so much more for you to enjoy at our Haven before Heaven which you can enjoy at Christianity Oasis ...