Why is it Difficult to Pray for Leaders as We Should?

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”.

Pray for our Interim Committee Meetings and Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on September 12-14.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "Godly Thinking in the Capitol" from Philippians 4:8 and will be held on Tuesday, September 13. Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.

You can download the complete study HERE.

Resting on That Which will Never be Shaken

As most of you know, West Virginia recently experienced something quite unusual , at least for us, - an earthquake. I was in my office in downtown Charleston and the shaking of the sturdy, two story building was disturbing. I arrived at our state capitol building shortly after and found that all the buildings on the statehouse campus had been evacuated. The earthquake, which was centered almost 300 miles away and caused minor damage throughout our nation’s capitol, made quite an impact in the WV capitol as well.

After everyone was allowed to return to the building, I met with a friend from the governors office who recounted how the main capitol building was shaken. This made me think of how quickly our lives can be shaken if they are not built upon Christ and His Word. When the capitol was evacuated, it did not matter if you where the governor, a legislator, a secretary, or a maintenance man – everyone found themselves in the same situation. This is a good reminder that everyone, including our elected leaders need to hear the gospel and submit to the truth of God’s word. Many of our leaders build their lives on shaky foundations such as careers or political achievement.

Please join me in praying that God will use circumstances, whether earthquakes or life situations to turn our leaders’ hearts to that which can never be shaken – Jesus Christ.

(This is from the transcript for a weekly spot I do on WOAY Radio (Oak Hill / Beckley) reminding folks to pray for their leaders.)

A Good Reminder to Pray for the Leaders in Your Community

In just a little over a year, the capitol community saw the deaths of five members of the legislature. Three of these were quite sudden and unexpected. In a small community of 134 members, this certainly had quite an impact, both on the lawmakers themselves as well as on the staff and lobbyists who worked with them over the years. The widows of two of the legislators were appointed to fill the remainder of their husbands’ terms and are now serving in the House of Delegates.

As one seeking to minister in the capitol community, I had the opportunity to attend the visitations and funeral services for several of these leaders. I was reminded of the urgency and importance of sharing the gospel with them. Both in the capitol during the sessions and at home in their districts, many people descend upon our legislators to speak with them about a host of topics and issues. How many have a goal to share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ? How many ever think to seek to help Christian lawmakers grow in their walk with the Lord? If people knew that their meeting with a legislator would be the last time they would ever see them or speak with them, would that change or add to the focus of their conversation?

This should certainly remind us to pray for the spiritual needs of our leaders, and that God would bring into their lives people who will faithfully seek to share with them the gospel and the word of God.

(This is from the transcript for a weekly spot I do on WOAY Radio (Oak Hill / Beckley) reminding folks to pray for their leaders.)

Pray for Our Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Study

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on May 16-18

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "The Highest Goal in the Capitol" from Philippians 2:14-16 and will be held on Tuesday, May 17.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

George Whitefield's Exhortation to Pray for Leaders

In a message entitled "Intercession Every
Christian's Duty", George Whitefield offers this encouragement to pray for leaders:

"Next to the praying for all men, we should, according to St. Paul's rule, pray for KINGS; particularly for our present sovereign King George, and all that are put in authority under him: that we may lead quiet lives, in all godliness and honesty. For, if we consider how heavy the burden of government is, and how much the welfare of any people depends on the zeal and godly conversation of those that have the rule over them: if we set before us the many dangers and difficulties, to which governors by their station are exposed, and the continual temptations they be under to luxury and self-indulgence; we shall not only pity, but pray for them: that he who preserved Esther, David, and Josiah, "unspotted from the world," amidst the grandeur of a court, and gave success to their designs, would also preserve them holy and unblameable, and prosper all the works of their hands upon them."

"Intercession Every Christian's Duty"

Ministry Update: How to Pray for Leaders

How should we pray for our legislators and elected officials? An important part of our ministry is encouraging churches and individual believers to faithfully and specifically pray for their leaders. That is why we developed the West Virginia Prayer Column, an online version of our daily prayer guide. There you can find the names of several legislators and leaders for whom you can pray each day. When we do pray for them, how should we pray? We find a good example in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

This week’s Bible study in the West Virginia state capitol is titled, “A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community”. In it we are studying Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi found in Philippians 1:9-11. Indeed, in it we see a great model of how we might pray for those serving in the statehouse. We must certainly pray for those who do not know Christ that they might believe in Him. Paul gives us a wonderful example of how we can pray for believers there as well. We can pray:

• That their love may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment


• That they might approve the things that are excellent


• That they might be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ


• That they might be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ


• That all they do might be to the glory and praise of God

Of course, this is a great prayer for every church and for each one of us as believers. I believe it is also a great prayer for those serving in the capitol community.

Capitol Bible Study: "A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia State Capitol, "A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community"(Philippians 1:9-11):

"Paul wraps up his prayer with the purpose and goal for all that we do – the glory and praise of God. When our love for Him and others abounds, it brings glory and praise to God. When we choose what is best and excellent in our lives, it brings glory and praise to God. When we are sincere and blameless before others, it brings glory and praise to God. When our lives are filled with the fruit of righteousness, it brings glory and praise to God. In this last element we find the best way to pray for everyone working in the statehouse. We should pray, and then seek to demonstrate, that everything in the life of a believer serving in the capitol community should bring glory and praise to God."

You can find the complete study here.

Are You Thankful for Your Leaders?

As you approach the Thanksgiving holiday and pause to consider all God’s blessings, are you thankful for your political leaders? ALL your political leaders?

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul challenges us to make it a priority to pray for our political leaders (“for kings and all who are in authority”). He uses four distinct words for prayer: entreaties, prayers, petitions, and THANKSGIVINGS. We are to be thankful for the leaders God has set up to rule over us. The leaders of whom Paul spoke in his day were those of the Roman Empire. They were immoral, brutal, and corrupt, soon to bring great persecution upon the church. Yet Paul exhorted the church to offer God thanksgivings for them.

We are to be thankful for all our leaders, regardless of party or ideology. This becomes easier when we remember they are established by God (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21) and are God’s servants (Romans 13:6).

We should be thankful for the order our government and its leaders provide as opposed to the chaos and disorder that would result in their absence.

We should be thankful that God is in control and has a purpose and plan to work out through the leaders He has put into place.

We should be thankful for how God is working in the hearts and lives of leaders and pray they would turn to Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord.

We should be thankful for Christian leaders who take a stand for the truth and pray they will have a tremendous testimony for Christ before those they serve as well as their colleagues.

As you take time for giving thanks, please remember to be thankful for the leaders God has placed over our communities, our state, and our nation.

Pray for Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on November 15-17.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "Final Thoughts on Treasuring God's Word" from Psalm 119:10 will be held on Tuesday, November 16.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

Capitol Commission Update: Pray for Our Ministry During the Regular Session

“We rightfully treasure the founding documents of our nation. The Declaration of Independence by which our country was founded and the constitutions by which our nation and state are governed are highly valued and esteemed. Students memorize their content. Scholars study and teach their meaning. Attorneys pour over potential legislation to assure its agreement. Judges interpret and apply their principles to our current affairs and situations. These documents are vitally important to the history and current life of our nation.

“The Bible is also a document that has been highly treasured in our nation’s history. While our founding documents are indeed vital to the governing of our country, God’s Word has even greater importance for each of us as it reveals the very nature of God and what is required of those who would be right with Him. The vital importance of God’s Word is the main reason we seek to hold regular Bible studies in the Capitol. This year we will be considering a passage of Scripture that clearly shares the infinite value of God’s Word – Psalm 119. This chapter, the longest in the Bible, is wholly dedicated to the Word of God and its vital role in the believer’s life.”

This is the introduction to our first Bible study of the 2010 legislative session which begins this week. We will be holding at least two studies each week for all those serving in the capitol community:

• Lobbyists & Staff: Tuesdays at 12:00 noon (beginning January 12)



• Legislators & Elected Officials Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. (beginning January 14)

How can you pray for our leaders and for our ministry to them during this important time? As we study Psalm 119 we see an important prayer repeated often throughout the chapter – a prayer for God to grant understanding of His Word.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. (vs. 18)

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all
my heart. (vs. 34)

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments (vs. 73)

Paul made it clear that “…The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) He reminds us that “…a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Cor. 2:14). It takes a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives for any of us to understand and respond to God’s Word.

• Pray that God will work in the hearts and minds of legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and staff who might attend our studies or receive the study notes so that they might understand and respond to His Word.



• Pray for impact of the Bible study notes as they are distributed throughout the capitol in person and by email each week.



• Pray for opportunities for us to minister one on one as we visit throughout the session.

You can download a copy of our study notes here.

Are You Thankful for Your Leaders (Repost)

As you approach the Thanksgiving holiday and pause to consider all God’s blessings, are you thankful for your political leaders? ALL your political leaders?

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul challenges us to make it a priority to pray for our political leaders (“for kings and all who are in authority”). He uses four distinct words for prayer: entreaties, prayers, petitions, and THANKSGIVINGS. We are to be thankful for the leaders God has set up to rule over us. The leaders of whom Paul spoke in his day were those of the Roman Empire. They were immoral, brutal, and corrupt, soon to bring great persecution upon the church. Yet Paul exhorted the church to offer God thanksgivings for them.

We are to be thankful for all our leaders, regardless of party or ideology. This becomes easier when we remember they are established by God (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21) and are God’s servants (Romans 13:6).

We should be thankful for the order our government and its leaders provide as opposed to the chaos and disorder that would result in their absence.

We should be thankful that God is in control and has a purpose and plan to work out through the leaders He has put into place.

We should be thankful for how God is working in the hearts and lives of leaders and pray they would turn to Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord.

We should be thankful for Christian leaders who take a stand for the truth and pray they will have a tremendous testimony for Christ before those they serve as well as their colleagues.

As you take time for giving thanks, please remember to be thankful for the leaders God has placed over our communities, our state, and our nation.

Praying for Our Leaders on Father's Day

1 Timothy 2:1-2 exhorts us to make it a priority to offer prayers, intercessions, supplications, and thanksgivings for our leaders. This means we are to pray specifically for the needs of those who serve in positions of authority.

Father’s Day should remind us to pray for the families of our leaders. Those who serve in local, state, and national government sacrifice a great deal of time with their families.

As we seek to pray faithfully for our leaders, let this special day remind us how might pray more specifically and effectively for them.

Pray for the California Supreme Court Justices

Lately we have heard a great deal about the California Supreme Court due to their ruling on the marriage amendment to the state constitution. I encourage you to use this as a reminder to pray for these justices, especially for their spiritual needs.

Click here to find an individual photo and biography of each the California Supreme Court justices.

The Message of the Resurrection

Please pray that God will work in the hearts of political leaders in West Virginia, throughout our nation, and around the world to respond to the glorious message of the resurrection and the gospel.

Great Sacrifices are Made by Those Serving in the Legislature

Most do realize the great sacrifices that are made by those serving in the West Virginia Legislature. Time away from family and work add to the challenge of government service.

I thought it might be helpful for you to hear of these challenges from one of our new legislators. The following is by Delegate Josh Stowers, a new lawmaker from Lincoln County. Delegate Stowers has a wife, Jennifer, and a daughter, Riley who is 11 years old. He has been an educator for six years and is currently service as Assistant Principal at Horace Mann Middle School in Kanawha City.

"Being a new legislator is such a mixed blessing. You’re filled with the enthusiasm that you can make a quality difference for those back home, yet you must sacrifice time with your family, friends, and job to transition this enthusiasm into to positive action.

"I’m extremely blessed in the sense that I am able to commute to and from the Capitol every day. In that respect I have my wife and daughter to keep me grounded and who allow me to put all this work into perspective. However, most nights I am not able to return home until they are already in bed. This requires a lot of focus not to become discouraged as the grinding work that we face at the Capitol causes the lack of time I have with them.

"Recognizing these sacrifices would be required when I signed up to serve allowed me to prepare myself and my family. They have been no thing but supportive. Knowing that I am new and obviously not nearly as aware of the many challenges that others face, has prodded me to seek out advice and counsel from those that have gone before me.

"Understanding the sacrifices but recognizing the opportunities to do good, has kept me focused on the positive aspects of legislative service. Hopefully, I can simply continue to grow in this attitude as I continue to serve."

I hope this will help you pray more effectively for Delegate Stowers and the rest of our legislators as they face the challenges of serving our state.

The Taxicab Governor

The Charleston Daily Mail last week published an interesting article regarding West Virginia governor, Bill Marland, who became a taxi driver in Chicago after struggling with alcohol.

Marland became attorney general in 1948 and was elected governor in 1952. He lost bids for the U.S. Senate in 1956 and 58 and dropped out of politics. We next hear of him driving a cab in Chicago in 1965. In his own words Marland admitted that alcohol led to his downfall.

His story reminds me our legislators and elected officials are simply people with the same challenges, struggles, and temptations as any of us only with the added responsibility of leading in our government. It prompts me to pray that our leaders will experience the life-changing power of the gospel. It convinces me anew of the importance of sharing the gospel and teaching the Word with those who are serving in office.

Daily Mail Article

"West Virginia's Taxicab Governor: William C. Marland"

YouTube preview of documentary on Governor Marland

The 79th West Virginia Legislature

The 79th West Virginia Legislature will meet today for their swearing-in ceremonies and to organize by electing officers. Please take this as a reminder to pray for our leaders during the upcoming legislative session and throughout the rest of the year.

View the 2009 legislative calendar.

Find the members of the West Virginia Legislature:

Senate

House

Praying for Our Pastors

We pray “for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). Certainly we pray for our government leaders so that we might impact our society and keep our freedom to live our Christian lives and share the gospel. We must remember however that it is THE CHURCH, not the government, which is going to have the greatest impact on the world around us. It is THE CHURCH’S proclamation of the gospel which is going to change hearts and lives. It is THE CHURCH’S preaching of the Word and discipling ministry which is going to prepare those who would serve effectively in positions of leadership.

So as we pray for our government leaders, on this Lord’s Day let us remember to pray faithfully for our pastors and our churches. Ligon Dunan over at the T4G blog had a great post encouraging us how to effectively pray for our pastors:

Praying for Your Pastor
Ligon Duncan

Because I have a congregation that loves me more than I deserve, I am often asked by them: "how can I pray for you?" I've tried to put some thought into how I answer that question. So, maybe these ideas will help you pray for your pastor, or tell others how they can pray for you.

Pray -

1. That [your pastor] would know and love the living God, would have a saving interest in Christ, being purchased by His blood, and thus would be bound to the Lord by the indissoluble bond of the Holy Spirit.

2. That [your pastor] would know, embrace and ever more deeply understand the Gospel and be shaped by it in life and ministry.

3. That [your pastor] would be useful servant of the Lord, that he would know and love God's word, God's people, and God's kingdom; that he would be used to build it up and so that it prevails even against Hell's gates.

4. That [your pastor] would study, practice and teach the Word of the Lord, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

5. That [your pastor] would love to pray, because he loves to commune with his God, and that he would be a man of prayer, characteristically.

6. That [your pastor] would be ever dependent upon and filled with the Spirit; and that he would possess true Spiritual wisdom.

7. That [your pastor] would be holy unto the Lord. That his tongue and heart would be wholly God's.

8. That [your pastor] would be kept from pride, and especially spiritual pride. That the Lord himself would be gracious to slay pride in him, and that your pastor would endeavor to always be putting pride to death, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

9. That God would give [your pastor] guidance as to where to focus his efforts in ministry.

10. That He would protect [your pastor] from himself, from the enemy of his soul, and from all earthly enemies.

11. That no decision which [your pastor] ever makes or desire that [your pastor] ever pursues would restrict his ability to pour his whole soul into the Gospel ministry.

12.That many would be converted and many built up under [your pastor]'s ministry, to God's glory alone.

13. That the Lord would bless [your pastor]'s wife, [. . . ], with holiness and happiness, Gospel assurance and Gospel rest.

14. That God would make [your pastor] a decent husband and father.

15. That [your pastor] would be a good friend to his wife, and love her self-sacrificially.

16. That [your pastor] would be a good daddy to his children. That they would love God, their parents and the church.

17. That [your pastor] would be a testimony in the home so that his wife might be able to respect him when he is in the pulpit, and so that [your pastor] will be able to feed her soul, along with the rest of the congregation.

Praying for Your Pastor - Ligon Duncan

Updated West Virginia Leadership Prayer Guide

We have updated our West Virginia Leadership Prayer Guide for 2009 and it is now posted online.

Please print this guide and use it to pray for our state's leaders on a daily basis. You may also visit www.prayercolumn.blogspot.com for an online version of this guide. There you may subscribe to receive a daily email with a list of leaders for whom you can pray each day.

West Virginia Leadership Prayer Guide

Prayer Column Blog