Pray For Our President
No matter what political position you hold, it benefits all of us to pray for our President, our country’s leaders, and our country.
As One Nation Under God, whatever the leaders do affects all of us for generations.
But isn’t it hard to pray for people when we disagree with their policies or feel like we’re on the opposing team?
As hard as we may make it, the Bible is clear on this subject; we are supposed to pray for all people in high positions and those who have rule over us.
Where in the Bible Does It Say Pray for Our President?
As the Apostle Paul was mentoring his young protege, Timothy, he admonished him to pray for all people who held high positions and ruled over others.
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings–what could he mean by that?
Simply looking at the definitions of these words will tell us that we are not blindly following the policies of those in authority, but as Christians, we are going to the throne of grace on their behalf.
- supplications–asking or begging for something earnestly and humbly
- prayers–a solemn request for help
- intercessions–the act of intervening on behalf of someone else
- thanksgiving–the act of gratitude, especially to God
And then, in verse 3, Paul shines more light on the reason; “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
How Do I Pray for the President, If I Disagree with His Policies?
Praying for the President isn’t praying for his policies or their success.
When we pray for the President, we pray for God’s will to be done in and through their lives.
And reading verse 8, Paul suggests that all prayers by all people be offered up to God without anger or quarreling.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. 1 Timothy 2:8
Jesus didn’t agree with the leaders’ policies in His day; neither did Paul. They both accused the religious leaders of being “white-washed tombs”; clean on the outside but unclean on the inside.
And although they submitted to the laws, they disagreed with some of them.
But their work, as with all Christians, was eternal. They concerned themselves with the heart of the person instead of the heart of the matter.
Let me get personal, do you pray for the President as much as you complain about the policies? (Yikes!) Answering for myself, I would have to say, “No. Not at all. It’s not even close.”
Can you imagine how much would be accomplished if people–Christians–prayed more than they talked about politics?
How Do I Pray for Government Leaders?
Of course, prayer for our government leaders is just as important as praying for our President. From the lowest elective office in your city to the highest elected officials in the nation, these people have rule over us.
The last few political cycles have been volatile, to say the least. Our country has been divided by those who love power more than humanity. And I struggle to pray for them.
The working-class people are driven by fear, anger, and revenge; this is nothing new. From the beginning of time, people have been driven by these emotions. But now, more than ever, due to media, we are driven like cattle herded in the direction the powers-to-be want us to go.
Each day there is a new crisis started, a new cause to defend, and a new heart to bleed. Thankfully, we know that this is just temporary because this world is not our home (Hebrews 13:14)
But just like the President, these local politicians and national politicians need the prayers of believers.
How Do I Pray for the Nation?
Politics has always been a dirty game, mainly because power corrupts people. As Christians, we can hold back the tide of these destructive acts by praying.
The prayer of a righteous person has great power! James 5:16 (ESV)
It’s heartbreaking to see our country so divided. As Americans, we should be one people, one nation, under God (that sounds familiar).
Under God does not mean that all Americans are Christians, so it is unfair to argue with people that our country is a Christian nation. Although America’s beginnings are rooted in Christian values, you don’t have to be a Christian to be an American.
Our Constitution calls for all men to be free and for us to be free to practice all religions. Christian values make that freedom more enjoyable. As Paul instructed in Romans chapter 12:
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:16-18
As a nation, we desire that all men are free and that evil is controlled. So, how can we have the freedom to do what we want but be able to control those who are out of control?
No people are truly free unless there is law and order. The laws set up are to protect the citizen and punish and reform those who break the law. As we pray for them, we should pray they gain wisdom and knowledge, and pray for their safety.
- Pray for our local and state law officers
- Pray for the national and local courts
- Pray for our military
Prayers for America’s Leaders
A Prayer for the President
“Father, You are a great and gracious Lord and Master. None of our leaders are comparable to You. But on behalf of our President, we ask that You work a mighty work in his heart. If he doesn’t know You as his eternal Father, please open his eyes to see the truth of salvation.
Allow Your Spirit to move in his heart, his mind, and through his actions that our country would be blessed by Your leadership.
Fill his words with wisdom and truth, and give him strength in his hands to do what’s right and good. In Jesus’ name.”
A Prayer for Local Politicians
“Father, as with the President, we desire good leadership. The local politicians in our towns, our counties, and our states have more effect on our lives than those nationally.
For those that don’t know You as Lord and Savior, we pray that their eyes would be open to Your saving grace. Their hearts would be softened by Your Spirit, knowing that You desire that people be saved.
For those who know You as their personal Savior, we ask that You abide in them. Give them wisdom, knowledge, and grace as they do their jobs daily.
Bless their families, keep them safe, and give them strength to carry out the tasks that You have called them to do. In the name of Jesus.”
A Prayer for National Politicians
“Father, we ask that You guide the men and women who are called to some of the highest offices in our nation with Your wisdom, peace, and love.
Open up the eyes of the lost. Change the hearts of the wicked. Bless the work of the righteous.
As these men and women give themselves to serving our country, we ask that their priority be to give themselves to serving You.
In the name of Jesus, we ask that all other principalities and powers be defeated, that Your saving Spirit would wash through the hearts of these men and women so Your name would be praised in all offices in our nation.”
A Prayer for Our Countries Law Keepers
“Father, we know that Your law is perfect, converting the soul; Your testimony is sure, making wise the simple. Your statutes are right, making the heart rejoice, and Your commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes.
Your judgments are true and righteous altogether. They are more to be desired than gold and sweeter than the honeycomb. How could we want anything more?
As our country stands before Your righteous and glorious throne, we ask that You continue to bless this land that flows with so many natural riches. May the fullness of this country be a blessing to all who come into her borders.
May the law of the land be pleasant to the righteous and a teacher and master to the lawless.
We pray for Your wisdom to flow through our court systems, and Your protection to cover our military and police. And bless the families of those who have given all that others may live freely within America’s borders. In Jesus’ name, we ask all things. Amen.”
Our country needs our prayers. If you are not an American, your country needs your prayers, too. Every people from every nation will one day kneel before the Son of God. Let’s pray for people to kneel on this side of eternity and not wait until it’s too late for repentance.
Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
