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”.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Great Lawmaker"

Legislators, elected officials, and other government leaders have an extremely important role to play in our state and throughout our nation. At the statehouse level these leaders propose, pass, interpret, and enforce laws that affect every citizen. The term “legislator” comes from two Latin words that mean “law bringer”. Indeed, the making of laws is a daunting responsibility. Our legislators have the authority to make laws because it has been given them by the people.

As lawmakers, our leaders need to consider their relationship with The Great Lawmaker. This is the topic of this month’s Bible study during the interim committee meetings at the West Virginia state Capitol. These meeting will be held on September 10-12 with our Bible study taking place on Tuesday, September 11 at 12:00 noon.

Our study entitled "The Great Lawmaker", will consider the important issue of the purpose of God’s law. Most in the capitol believe that Christianity or religion is all about being a good person. God’s law was given to show us that none us are good and that salvation only comes through Christ, His goodness, and His work on our behalf on the cross. You download a copy of our Bible study here.

This is a vital message for those serving in the capitol community, and again we are overjoyed to share the good news of the gospel in the statehouse. Please be in prayer for the notes as they are distributed to every legislator and elected official and for our study on Tuesday.

Pray for Interim Committee Meetings and 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 September 10-12.

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 Great Lawmaker" and will be held on Tuesday, September 11.

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.

Capitol Bible Study: "Following and Fishing"

Challenging legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and staff who serve in the capitol to follow Christ is the main goal of Capitol Commission West Virginia. We also seek to encourage and equip believers serving in the statehouse to share their faith with their colleagues and coworkers.

This month at our interim Bible study at the capitol one of the long time participants in our ministry has prepared and will lead a study on Following Jesus and Fishing for Men (Matthew 4:18-20). This is indeed an important message all serving in our state government need to hear.

Our legislators will be gathering at the capitol on August 13-15, and our study will be held on Tuesday, August 14.

• Please pray for our leaders as they will be traveling to Charleston as well as for their meetings.
• Pray for our study on Tuesday and for God to use the notes as they have been distributed to every legislator and elected official as well as to many lobbyists and staff.
• Pray for God to work in the hearts of leaders to repent and follow Christ.
• Pray that believers will gain a great burden for their unsaved colleagues and seek to be a witness and share the gospel with them.

Capitol Bible Study: The Greatest Sacrifice

The West Virginia Veterans Memorial recognizes and remembers the over 10,000 military personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our county.

In our Bible studies at the capitol this year we have been seeing how the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, is the story of God's redemption of sinful people through the greatest sacrifice, that of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Nowhere is this sacrifice more clearly described than in the account of God testing Abraham by calling him to offer up his son, Isaac. This is the topic of this month's interim Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol, The Greatest Sacrifice. 

This account is another "reminder in advance" of what God would do in offering up His own Son so that we can have our sins forgiven.

Pray for Our Interim Committee Meetings and Bible Study at the West Virginia State Capitol

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 14 - 16.

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 "Only Christ Can Make Us Clean" from Numbers 5:1-4 and will be held on Tuesday, May 15.

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 Bible Study: "Only Christ Can Make Us Clean" (Numbers 5:1-4)

From the notes of next week's Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol:

"We would be hesitant to visit the governor, senate president, house speaker, or other important leader with dirty clothes and in need of a shower and shave. How much more should we dread entering God’s presence with sin and uncleanness in our lives? All of us are tempted to believe we are good people. When we truly begin to recognize how holy and pure God is, then we begin to understand how sinful and unclean we are before Him. It is then we realize we need a Savior who can cleanse us from our sin."

You can view or download the complete study HERE.