Praying, Not Rebelling, For Those In Authority

(First published June 11, 2014)

The Bible is replete with how governors and those in authority should act and be. It gives a frame work in which to operate a Godly and righteous government and nation. If any nation expects the blessings of the Lord then they should follow His precepts and commandments. This is not an order of servitude but a way of life, a way of happiness, and the way of truth. God wants us to succeed, and most of all, He wants us to live.

The Apostle Paul in his first epistle to Timothy addresses the issue of how those in power and control of a people should act. The end result for those leaders who do follow God’s way is peace, quiet, honesty and Godliness. That sounds like what the United States was founded to be!

1 Timothy 2:1-6

1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

How wonderful is that? To start off with a prayer for other people! Not only does prayer work but shows where our heart and spirit should be. First and foremost, we cannot be a nation of me first.  President Kennedy expressed it this way:

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy

Lead off with prayer first for other people. This is the type of sacrifice of praise, the fruit of the lips that God wants us to offer up. We want to build a nation with prayer and supplication for other people are their well being.

2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

We are to pray for those in authority that have rule over us. Every official who has been put into position of authority and lordship over us is God appointed. In so being we should offer them the respect as a God appointee. And it can be extremely difficult to pray for an official especially when they act ungodly. But that is what we are to do. Nothing can stop the power of prayer. So instead of us rebelling against a higher authority we should gather together in prayer, in one accord and pray for their guidance and deliverance.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Romans 13:1-2).

John Calvin the 16^th century theologian and leader in the Christian Reform had very strong words about Christians and their hate for those in authority.

“For kings He expressly mentions kings and other magistrates because, more than all others, they might be hated by Christians. All the magistrates who existed at that time were so many sworn enemies of Christ; and therefore this thought might occur to them, that they ought not to pray for those who devoted all their power and all their wealth to fight against the kingdom of Christ, the extension of which is above all things desirable. The apostle meets this difficulty, and expressly enjoins Christians to pray for them also. And, indeed, the depravity of men is not a reason why God’s ordinance should not be loved. Accordingly, seeing that God appointed magistrates and princes for the preservation of mankind, however much they fall short of the divine appointment, still we must not on that account cease to love what belongs to God, and to desire that it may remain in force. That is the reason why believers, in whatever country they live, must not only obey the laws and the government of magistrates, but likewise in their prayers supplicate God for their salvation” (John Calvin)

Do not misinterpret what any of this is saying. Nowhere in scripture does it advocate being passive, or heaven forbid, to allow a government to take over the people and become oppressive. Scripture does tell us that those in authority are God appointed and that we should pray for them, so that we, “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”.

It doesn’t say goodliness but Godliness. Good will get you killed but God will save.

The United States of America was founded by Christians on Christian principles. Our founders knew the Bible. They also knew man. That’s why a system of checks and balances was instituted in our government that would assure no evil ruler for too long. Term limits were designed as a method of ousting those “ungodly rulers”.

3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Why? Because we are following God’s commandment. God knows who is in authority and what they are capable of. And if the ruler gets off track God knows that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availth much! (James 5:16).

If the nation prays, then the nation is going to God. It has faith and belief in God. That nation is dependent upon God. Imagine the power and influence of an entire nation empowered by God. Do you think a little ol’ president or a senator or a governor could withstand that?

Only those who truly believe and have faith and trust in God will “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Prayer is the acid test of value.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). The “authority” spoken of here is of God.

4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

This has been the struggle dating back to when Jesus was walking on this earth as a man. Pontius Pilate, the governor of the land and head of the military looked Jesus Christ straight in the eye and asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

“Separation of church and state” is the cry today. Government does not want truth. It does not want Jesus so therefore we as a nation cannot, “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”. In God’s system of checks and balances He has it so designed that we as a people are to pray. We are not to rebel against who God has appointed.

We have a marvelous example of honoring God’s appointed and not rebelling against them with David. King Saul was unjustly pursuing David in an attempt to kill him. On several occasions David and his men had the opportunity to strike back and kill Saul. But David knew that Saul had been anointed by God to rule.

“And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go” (1 Samuel 26:9-11).

5&6) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:4-7)

The issue is not the king or president. The issue is what is our relationship with God? Have we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior? Are we a righteous nation? Are we praying to God for guidance? Are we dependent on Him?

“When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 11:10-11).

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 144:15).