We are Commanded to Pray

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 NLT

Like many other Christian runners around our country today who are blessed to have the day off, I will sit down for my morning Bible study before setting off on a long run to meditate on the Word and earnestly pray for our country, our leaders, and a peaceful transition of power from the old presidential administration to the new one. And just as with the sport of running that people either love or hate (there seems to be very little middle ground), many people (like myself) will be feeling happy, joyful and hopeful over the change while many others will be feeling cynical, sad, and discouraged. But wherever you might be on that spectrum of feeling, the Bible is very clear about what a Christian’s responsibility is when it comes to those in command... submit and pray. 

You see, since we know that “there is no authority except that which God has established” and “the authorities that exist have been established by God” and not by man, we are to subject ourselves to governing authorities because they are appointed by the Lord and serve a purpose in His plan (not ours). To do otherwise is to literally kick against the goad (which is to battle with God to no avail, only hurting yourself). Since governments, then, have authority from God, believers are bound to obey them - unless, of course, they order us to do something in contradiction to God’s law. Then, we are commanded to obey God before man (as in Acts 4:19). 

So, rather than grumbling about who’s leading our country today, pray for those in authority instead as we are commanded to do my friend — knowing that the fervent, effectual prayers of a righteous person have great power in causing those in authority to make good and godly decisions. Decisions that, you can be sure, will benefit our families, our schools, our businesses, our cities, our towns, our counties, our states, and our country as a whole. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are the One who controls the times and the seasons and that You are the One who puts leaders into place and the One who takes them out. Lord, we pray for our country today and we pray for those in authority. Please guide our senators and representatives — our local, state and national leaders. Lord, we pray for all leaders to have Your wisdom in all matters. We pray for our president to have discernment, to have the energy to do this difficult job and to be a person who seeks Your will, not only in his life, but in all national matters. God, please surround our president with good and godly counsel that will lead him to walk and rule in a way that honors You. Lord, God, please heal our land from the chaos and division within it, and please help every leader to seek Your face. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!