“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Paul in his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:1-2) urged him and us to this very day to pray for those in governing positions over us. Scripture commands us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to pray and intercede “for kings and all who are in high positions.”
In the context of our modern time and in our nation, “kings” and “those in high positions” refer to those in the highest positions in our federal government, to those in our state government, and all the way down to those who make up our local governments. When Scripture speaks of those in authority, in our day, it refers to all who comprise the legislative, judicial, and executive branches at every level throughout our nation.
As Christians, even when our governing leaders make decisions we do not agree with, and even act against Biblical truth, it is important to remember that our Scriptural command is not to agree with the decisions of our leaders, but rather to simply pray for them. In fact, as Paul wrote to Timothy urging him to pray for those in positions of authority, Nero was the emperor.
Nero utterly hated Christians and unleashed an absolutely ruthless campaign of persecution against them as believers were being publicly butchered, set on fire as human candles in His garden, and being fed to animals. The Biblical command, however, is clear, we are to pray for those in authority regardless of our personal feelings about them.
We are to pray for our rulers with joy and confidence knowing that God holds the hearts of kings in His hand and that he can turn their hearts whenever and however He chooses (Proverbs 21:1). May we commit to fulfilling our Biblical command to pray for our governing leaders asking the Lord to give them wisdom, understanding, and the courage to govern righteously in His sight.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we acknowledge that You are the one who has placed governing rulers in their place of authority over us. Lord, when we agree or even when we disagree with our leaders, remind us of Your command to pray for them all. Father, please infuse each and every governing authority in our nation with Your wisdom and truth so that they may rule righteously. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Every “Let Us Pray” devotional throughout this year’s legislative session will have the names of those in authority here in Kentucky so that we may fulfill our God-given command to pray for our governing leaders.
Join us in praying for our elected leaders throughout
the 2023 Legislative Session:
Leadership in the Kentucky Legislature
Sen. Robert Stivers (Senate President)
Sen. Damon Thayer (Majority Floor Leader)
Sen. Mike Wilson (Majority Whip)
Sen. Reginald Thomas (Minority Caucus Chair)
Sen. David Givens (President Pro Tempore)
Sen. Julie Raque Adams (Majority Caucus Chair)
Sen. Gerald Neal (Minority Floor Leader)
Sen. David Yates (Minority Whip)
Rep. David Osborne (Speaker of the House)
Rep. Steven Rudy (Majority Floor Leader)
Rep. Jason Nemes (Majority Whip)
Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson (Minority Caucus Chair)
Rep. David Meade (Speaker Pro Tempore)
Rep. Suzanne Miles (Majority Caucus Chair)
Rep. Derrick Graham (Minority Floor Leader)
Rep. Rachel Roberts (Minority Whip)
