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"

Capitol Bible Study: "Gospel Accounting in the Capitol"

From this week's interim Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol:

Paul understood the “Great Exchange” that takes place in gospel accounting. When we repent and place our faith in Christ, God places all of our sin on Jesus’ account as He is punished in our place and on our behalf. The goodness, or righteousness, of Christ’s perfect life is then placed on our account. What a glorious transaction of God’s grace! No wonder Paul counted all earthly things as loss in view of knowing Christ.


You can read or download the complete study, "Gospel Accounting in the Capitol", here.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Answer for Grumbling & Complaining"

From this week's interim Bible study in the West Virginia state capitol:

We will not grumble and complain if we remember God’s great blessings and provisions for us, especially our salvation in Christ. How can we ever grumble and complain when we look at the cross? As Paul reminds us:

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

If God provided our greatest need of salvation of sin through giving His own Son, will He not care for us in all the lesser things of our daily lives?

You can download the complete study here.

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 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 Answer for Grumbling & Complaining 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.

Excited About Politics?

From C.J. Mahaney quoting Don Carson:

'Make sure that in your own practice and excitement, what you talk about, what you think about, what you pray over, what you exude confidence over, joy over, what you are enthusiastic about is Jesus, the gospel, the cross. And out of that framework, by all means, let the transformed life flow.'

We will transfer to others what we are most passionate about. And those we serve should see a difference between our passion for the gospel and our passion for other issues. It’s worth asking ourselves regularly: Is it clear to others that nothing excites me more than the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified?

From C.J.'s View from the Cheap Seats blog.

Capitol Bible Study: "A Matter of Life and Death in the Capitol"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia statehouse, "A Matter of Life and Death in the Capitol":

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:21

In this amazing statement, we see that being a follower of Jesus Christ, living as a citizen of heaven, is indeed a matter of life and death. The supremacy of Christ is what filled and dominated Paul’s life. The desire to be with Christ gave him comfort and encouragement to face and even relish his own death. In a world like that of the statehouse and politics which can easily consume our values and priorities, it will be helpful to concentrate on this verse that reminds us that each of us faces a matter of life and death.

Download the complete study here.

Ministry Update: Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else…” Philippians 1:12-13

Yesterday I stood at one end of the main floor of the West Virginia capitol building and looked down that grand corridor, across the rotunda, towards the Senate chamber at the other end. The hallway was packed with people—legislators, lobbyists, staff, state employees, and regular citizens—all gathered for one of the special days held throughout the regular session. I was overwhelmed with the main thought of this week’s statehouse Bible study, “Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol”. The question that captivated me was “How can we see the gospel advance more openly and effectively here in this place among these people?”

In our studies of Philippians we see how Paul rejoiced in the midst of difficult circumstances. He saw that the challenges he faced only served to “advance the gospel”. The gospel progressed to the point that when Paul offered greetings from the saints at the end of his letter, he included “especially those from Caesar’s household” (4:22). Paul rejoiced because he saw the gospel advance to some of the highest levels of leadership in the Roman Empire.

I prayed as I watched the crowd that God would grant us more opportunity to see the advance and progress of the gospel in the West Virginia state capitol. Please partner with us in prayer, as the Philippian believers did with Paul, that the “cause of Christ will become well known throughout the whole state capitol”.

• Pray for our ongoing Bible studies during the session as the notes are distributed in person and by email each week. (You can find a copy of this week’s study here).

• Pray that I might have more courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel personally as I regularly visit throughout the capitol.

• Pray that God will bring about circumstances and situations that might serve to turn out for the greater progress of the gospel in the capitol.

As always, thank you for your support and prayer for our ministry.

Tim Pauley

State Director, Capitol Commission West Virginia