PRAYER POWER UNLIMITED

J. Oswald Sanders

World Rulers Need Prayer

Prayers … for … all who are in authority (1 Tim 2:1-2)

Prayer for world rulers is enjoined on the praying Christian as a primary responsibility: when counseling his young protege Timothy, Paul set before him the priorities he should observe.

First of all, then, [and here it means first in order of importance rather than of time] I urge that entreaties and prayers … be made … for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Tim 2:1-3).

The Christian has a civic and national as well as a spiritual responsibility, and among other ways, he is able to discharge this responsibility in prayer. He should pray for those who hold civic and national or international offices on all levels. Are we discharging our responsibility in this area? Is it any wonder that the voice of the Church is so muted and her influence so minimal in the councils of the world, when she neglects this primary and divinely ordained method of influencing national and world affairs? If prayer could not so influence the course of world events, Paul’s exhortation would be without point.

Scripture teaches that the Church and the Christian owe a duty to the state beyond mere payment of taxes and obedience to its laws. It matters not whether rulers are good or bad, we are under obligation to pray for them in their exercise of their offices. In point of fact, the ruler in Rome when Paul penned this letter was the infamous Nero. The king may be a persecutor or a dictator, but Christians are not to stop praying for him.

The early Christians did not evade or ignore their divinely imposed civic and national responsibilities. One of the early Fathers, Tertullian, affords us a glimpse into their practice: “We pray for ourselves, for the state of the world, for the peace of all things, and for the postponement of the end.”

Men in public office have heavy burdens to bear, and they wield far-reaching influence. Their decisions affect the Church, the city, and the nation. The hands of wicked men and corrupt officials can be stayed by our prayers.

In the midst of toppling thrones, Daniel maintained his serenity because he knew there was a sovereign God in heaven to whom he could pray. For him, that canceled every adverse factor. He could defy the decree of the Oriental despot, for he knew that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes” (Dan 4:17).

The purpose of such prayer, says Paul, is that leaders may be led aright and that our lives may be lived aright. We are encouraged to pray for times of peace, not merely that we might enjoy lives of ease and comfort, but there should be the minimum of disturbance so as to facilitate the spread of the Gospel.

God fervently desires that all men shall be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:14). If this is to be brought about, the type of government under which they live will have an important bearing. The cases of China and Soviet Russia are poignant examples of this. Although the Church cannot be stamped out in Communist-controlled lands, the opportunity for men and women to hear and accept the Gospel is drastically curtailed.

This passage assures us, too, that it is acceptable to ask God that we may live a tranquil and quiet life, free from disturbance from without and perturbation from within, in order that the Gospel be not hindered.

In offering such prayer, we must bear in mind the sobering fact that even earnest prayer cannot avert the righteous judgment of God on men or nations when their cup of iniquity is full. But as we pray, we can be confident that as the result of the prayers of the Church, God will answer in a way that will be in the best interests of His creatures and will be consistent with His nature and attributes.

PRAYER

Give us new hearts, and renew Thy Holy Spirit within us, O Lord; that our rulers may faithfully minister justice, punish sin, defend and maintain the preaching of Thy Word, and that all ministers may diligently teach Thy dearly beloved flock purchased by the blood and death of Thine own and only dear Son our Lord, and that all people may obediently learn and follow Thy law, to the glory of Thy holy name for Christ’s sake, our only Lord and Savior. JAMES PILKINGTON

QUESTIONS

1. In praying for matters of national and international importance, do we really expect our prayers to achieve something definite?
2. What motives should influence Christians in totalitarian lands to pray for rulers who are tyrannical and cruel?