Do you sometimes feel at a loss as to where to start or what to pray for the leaders of your nation?
We know that God calls us to pray for all who are in authority as it is set out in simple terms in 1 Timothy 2:1-6:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 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…
The book of Proverbs was written by king Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived on earth, and contains many guidelines of what to pray for rulers of nations. When we pray for our leaders, we can focus on their task as leader, their personal well-being, health and family lives, e.g. for their marriages to be stable and for them to be an example to the citizens of their country. Following are some guidelines to help you pray for the leader(s) in your nation.
Prayer guidelines
THE LEADER’S HEART
In prayer, put the heart of your President (leader) in the hands of the Lord – to guide, correct, discipline and bless the person.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1)
GODLY SUPPORT
Pray for godly advisors, staff, aides and cabinet ministers to support the President in your nation. Also, for their protection from all evil counsel and influences that may harm the nation.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. (Proverbs 25:5).
GODLY WISDOM
Pray for the President and the administration to have godly wisdom and courage to expose all forms of crime and corruption, and to bring all involved in it to justice for the sake of the nation.
A wise king sifts out the wicked, and brings the threshing wheel over them. (Proverbs 20:26).
COMPASSION
Pray for the President’s heart to be moved with compassion for the people in the nation – to love them and seek to care for them, especially the poor and needy.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. (Proverbs 20:28).
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD
Pray for the President to come to know the Lord Jesus as Saviour and grow in a personal relationship with Him, with a desire to read, study and follow the guidelines of Scripture in ruling the nation.
By me [Wisdom] kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me [Wisdom] princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I [Wisdom] love those who love me; and those who seek me diligently will find me [Wisdom]. (Proverbs 8:15-17).
GOD’S HEART AND WILL
When you pray, it is important to guard your hearts not to pray according to your own political agenda, opinion or preferences for the President and government. Safest is always to pray Scripture – for God’s kingdom to come in your nation as it is in heaven, according to the Father’s heart. Ask the Lord to reveal His heart and will to the President every day.
PERSONAL LIFE
Lift up in prayer the marriage and children of the President – to have time to spend with their family, for healthy relationships with their children and to be caring towards their spouse. Also pray for their spouse to be strengthened in the Lord to fulfil their duties as spouse. Being a President’s child can be very challenging – pray for their children to also come into a personal relationship with the Lord and to become role models in the nation for other young people.
PHYSICAL PROTECTION
Pray for the physical protection of the President – that all ungodly schemes to take their life will be uncovered in time. Also pray for their physical health in order to fulfil their daily responsibilities as President.
GOD’S SPECIFIC CALL
As you pray for the President and leaders of your nation, ask the Holy Spirit about the specific things they must establish and fulfil during their term in office, which will be necessary for the next generation to prosper in the things God has on His heart for the nation.
Be faithful in praying for the leaders of your nation;
for that is good and acceptable in the sight of God.
