John Piper preached a good message from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 on the importance of praying for all people, particularly for our government leaders.He shared two reasons why it may be difficult to pray for our leaders as we should:
- Government leaders may seem distant and remote; if not in miles, then at least in accessibility.
“It is hard to pray earnestly for someone you don't know, and especially hard to pray for somebody you never see. Yet, this difficulty must be overcome, Paul says. You must pray for them: emperors like Nero, proconsuls like Gallio, governors like Pilate, kings like Herod. They may seem remote and inaccessible, but remember, they are not remote and inaccessible to God. And by prayer you can get as close as one of their intimate advisers.”
- Government leaders may be unbelievers who are insensitive to the Holy Spirit.
“This should not cause us to hesitate one moment to pray for them, first, because God may save them and bring them to a knowledge of the truth, and second, because God uses rulers to accomplish his purposes whether they believe in him or not.”
Let us seek to be faithful in pursuing God’s priority of praying “for kings and all who are in authority”.
