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| Praying for our Leaders courtesy photobucket.com |
1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s Sermon as he read from the letter Paul sent to the young minister Timothy.
The Jewish nation was
under the rule of the Roman Empire with their many gods. Timothy was exhorted to pray for the leaders
that they have clear heads and rule with wisdom and mercy in order for the
people to live in peace.
As
Paul began his letter he used the words: “First of All.” This meant something very important was to
follow. There was only ONE God, ONE
truth to be preached to his flock.Paul urged Timothy to pray for everyone, family, friends, leaders and all in authority which meant to include their enemies of that day.
The Romans hailed Caesar as a God and called him Lord. We know Jesus is Lord and there is no other before Him. The fact remains that God wants all men to be saved.
When we attend a ball game, whether the Giants, or little league, we pray that our team will win. We want to win with no thought for those who will be the losers for that game.
We go to the polls to vote and pray that our candidates will win, when perhaps we should pray that God’s will be done.
We may not agree with those in Government positions, but the teaching here is to pray for them to experience level heads, wisdom and mercy in their decisions.
This is right and God desires
everyone to be saved. Prayer is not just
words, but our hearts must be in tune to give God a free hand to move according
to his will.
It is easier to pray against our enemies. The Old Testament prophets wanted their enemies to suffer and be defeated.
We can get so mixed up in our attitudes, especially when we view the reports of recent mass shootings and murder.
The terrorists are convinced that they are doing a good work, so how should we pray for them?
Horrible things are going on
in our world today. We must pray for
hearts to soften, for wisdom to reign, and leaders to be willing to negotiate
and bring about peace.
As we pray, we are not to
pray our opinion but to express that God will have his way.
When we come to pray, it is
good to be still and listen, for God is still speaking. May we listen with our heart to what He is
saying to us.
* * * * * * * *
This post is shared with
Charlotte’s Spiritual
Sundays
This post is also Linked with
Michelle’s Hear
it on Sunday Use it on Monday
4 comments:
This is it:
"As we pray, we are not to pray our opinion but to express that God will have his way."
It's not always easy for me to do, but it's what I want to do. Thanks for sharing this today, Hazel. Wise words, as always.
Wise words and one's that we should follow. It's not OUR will, but God's that matters. He will see us through, start to finish and He can use anyone to achieve His purposes. We must trust Him and give Him the freedom to be GOD.
Praying is so important. Praying helped Corrie Ten Boom forgive her captors and it can help free us today as well.
What a great reminder to come back to prayer and look to God to change things in the world rather than get all upset because the government is not doing what we think it should be doing.
Awesome post, Hazel. Stopped me cold to pray. Doesn't get much better than that, sister. Thanks.
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