Tag: government

From Apathy to Action: Why Praying for Good Government is a Priority for Christians 

Introduction

Many Christians in the UK feel disconnected from government, often dismissing all politicians as unworthy of attention due to widespread distrust. This disengagement can lead believers to view politics as irrelevant to their faith. Yet, Scripture presents a different call: praying for good government is a biblical priority and a cornerstone of Christian prayer life. Three passages—1 Timothy 2:1-4, Jeremiah 29:7, and Romans 13:1-4—explicitly command believers to intercede for leaders, revealing its centrality to faith. Such prayers foster peace, advance the Gospel, and align society with God’s purposes, countering apathy with obedient trust in His sovereignty.

An AI generated image of parliament like buildings in a cityscape 

Biblical Commands to Pray for Good Government

Scripture unequivocally commands Christians to pray for those in authority, positioning this practice as a foundational priority. A close examination of three passages reveals the depth and urgency of this call, grounding it in God’s redemptive plan.

1 Timothy 2:1-4: The Foremost Priority of Prayer

“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. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Paul’s use of “first of all” is striking, marking prayer for leaders as the primary focus of Christian intercession. This is not a casual suggestion but a deliberate directive, placing prayers for kings, governors, and all in authority at the forefront of the church’s spiritual practice. The Greek term prōton (first) underscores priority in rank, not merely sequence, suggesting that this prayer is foundational to Christian worship. Paul’s comprehensive terms—supplications (requests for needs), prayers (general communion with God), intercessions (pleas on behalf of others), and thanksgivings—call for a multifaceted approach to praying for leaders, regardless of their character or policies. The purpose is twofold: to enable believers to live “peaceful and quiet” lives conducive to godliness and to support God’s desire for “all people to be saved.” This links prayer for government directly to evangelism, as stable societies facilitate the Gospel’s spread. Christians are thus called to prioritise intercession for leaders, trusting God to work through even flawed authorities to achieve His redemptive purposes.

Jeremiah 29:7: Praying for a Hostile Nation’s Welfare

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). This command, given to Israelites exiled in Babylon, is remarkable for its context. Babylon was a pagan, oppressive empire, yet God instructs His people to pray for its well-being. The Hebrew word shalom (welfare) implies peace, prosperity, and wholeness, suggesting prayers for holistic societal good. This directive reveals that God ties the flourishing of His people to the health of the surrounding society, even under hostile rule. The call to “pray to the Lord” indicates that intercession is the primary means of seeking this welfare, placing prayer at the heart of civic engagement. For modern Christians, this passage challenges disengagement, urging prayers for local and national governments—whether supportive or antagonistic—as their stability directly impacts believers’ ability to live faithfully. Jeremiah’s command underscores that praying for government is not optional but integral to God’s plan for His people’s spiritual and social thriving.

Romans 13:1-4: Submitting to God’s Appointed Authorities

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. … For he is God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:1-4). Paul asserts that all governing authorities are established by God, serving as His instruments for order and justice. The Greek exousia (authority) emphasizes God’s sovereign appointment of rulers, whether emperors or local officials. This theological foundation implies a duty to pray for leaders to fulfil their God-given role as “servants for good,” promoting justice and punishing evil. While submission to authority is the primary focus, prayer naturally follows, as intercession seeks God’s guidance for leaders to align with His purposes. This passage calls Christians to trust in God’s sovereignty over governance, praying for authorities—such as MPs or councillors—to act justly, thereby fostering a society where righteousness prevails. Romans 13 elevates prayer for government as an act of faith in God’s ultimate authority.

Why Praying for Good Government Matters

Praying for good government is vital for several reasons. First, it produces peace, enabling Christians to lead “a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:2), free from persecution or chaos, where faith can flourish. Second, it supports Gospel advancement, as stable governance creates opportunities for evangelism, aligning with God’s desire for “all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). Third, it promotes justice, as governments are God’s servants to uphold good and punish evil (Romans 13:4). Prayer aligns leaders with God’s heart, benefiting society. Finally, in a distrustful culture, praying for all leaders reflects Christlike humility, distinguishing Christians as agents of reconciliation. Early Christians prayed for Roman emperors despite persecution, showing the timeless power of such prayers.

Practical Steps for Praying for Good Government

  1. Specific Prayers: Pray for leaders’ wisdom and integrity, covering local councillors, MPs, and global figures.
  2. Consistent Practice: Include prayers for government in daily devotions, using 1 Timothy 2:1’s framework.
  3. Community Prayer: Join church groups to pray collectively for leaders, amplifying impact.
  4. Faithful Trust: Pray with confidence in God’s sovereignty (Romans 13:1), even when outcomes are uncertain.

Conclusion

Praying for good government is a biblical priority, rooted in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Jeremiah 29:7, and Romans 13:1-4. These passages reveal its centrality to Christian prayer, fostering peace, justice, and Gospel advancement. Believers must move beyond disengagement, prioritising intercession for leaders. Through prayer, Christians participate in God’s redemptive work, transforming nations for His glory.

Your Government Needs You

The COVID pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges that has faced our generation, many have said. Governments across the world have grappled with its consequences, and whether you think your political leaders have done a good job or not, you cannot deny the scale of the issues they have faced.

The UK appears to be in an unusual place concerning the pandemic. We were heading for a full release of restrictions on 21st June – so call Freedom Day – but due to rising cases of a COVID variant named Delta, our government have pushed this date back to 19th July.

The challenge facing the UK Government does not end on 19th July however, and a whole new set of challenges begins. Many have lost their jobs over the last 18 months, much money has been paid out to businesses forced to close during the lockdown, and our health service faces a massive backlog of treatment they could not give in the last year.

All of this came to mind this morning when reading Proverbs:

When the country is in chaos,
everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
to straighten things out.

Proverbs 28:2 (Message)

Whether you think it fair to describe the current state of affairs as “chaos” is down to you. As above however, this country and nearly all others are facing unprecedented times. Things certainly need to be straightened out in one way or another.

The phrase “everybody has a plan to fix it” stood out to me this morning. At every turn, and every choice the Government makes, there will be someone telling them they are wrong. Commentators, experts and the general public say they should do this or that, but of course, no one can agree. For every expert that says “Go this way!” there is another which says to go the opposite direction.

Such times as we live in, and indeed, any times really, require leaders of wisdom. They must use their wisdom to make sensible choices, and not be swayed by wavering opinions. Sometimes the right choice is obvious… but often it is not.

This is true in our own lives, let alone running a whole nation. We do not always know which path to choose, and so how can our governments when they face decisions which can have implications for generations to come?

Only God has wisdom enough to show us the right path to choose. We, as Christians, must seek Him fully in His Word and be obedient to His call. When we face a choice not clearly described in the Bible, we pray for guidance and lean on the Holy Spirit. We must pray the same for our political leaders. They may or may not be Christians, but they still need godly wisdom to do what is right.

Your government needs you! It needs you to pray, and such prayers will benefit the whole country. It is a Christian’s duty to pray for our leaders, even when we do not agree with them.

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 (Message)

At times, we may all be guilty of criticizing the government and our national leaders. Their job is extremely difficult, and I am not sure I would want to have the responsibility they hold. I confess that I do not pray for them as often as I should, and clearly they need our prayers now as much as ever.

Some will feel called by the Lord to get involved in politics, local or otherwise, and others will certainly not. Whether that applies to you or not, the Bible is clear that we are to pray for our governmental leaders.

If you are not sure where to start, then here are a couple of suggestions.

As above, ask God to give our political leaders wisdom to make godly choices. When the right path forward is not clear, ask the Lord to show them the right way to go.

Also, pray that the Gospel can be freely preached in your nation. There are places in this world where the preaching of the faith is strictly prohibited. While not banned in the UK, the Gospel is no longer a popular message (if the Gospel ever was) and those who wish to share it are being penned in on every side.

Your government needs you to pray for them. The Bible commands us to do so. Let each of us set aside some time this week to pray for those in authority.

Have a great day!

Who can you pray for?

Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

James 5:16 (WEB)

Are you tired of hearing about the corona virus yet? It has been quite a while since the headlines mentioned anything other than the global pandemic! Sorry to mention it again here!

In these difficult times, there is a lot of practical things we can do as the Body of Christ to support each other. If you have elderly or vulnerable family members or neighbours, you might be able to shop for them to save them having to go out.

Our family, led by my wonderful wife, is setting about sending Easter cards or cards of encouragement to all the members of our church (the ones we have contact information for that is).

As you might have noticed, I have been trying to post on the blog every day. I am hoping that even in the difficult days ahead, many will read the blog and ideally be encouraged or uplifted in some way.

What practical things are you doing? What things could you do to bless those around you at this time?

You might be in a situation where doing something practical is just not possible right now. Not all of us can. There is one thing you can do however, and it will make a tremendous difference. You can pray.

Sometimes we think of prayer as a last resort. We do all the practical stuff, and then turn to prayer when we run out of ideas. This really shouldn’t be the way we think. Prayer is our first and foremost response in every situation.

Who can you pray for today? I hope it won’t take you long to think of someone.

my family has a jam jar full of lolly sticks. On each stick, we write the name of a friend or family member. When we sit down to pray, we draw out a stick and then pray for the person named. It is a great way of remembering to pray for different people.

Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer at this time either. There are prayer warriors out there just looking for someone to cover in prayer. Why not be the “squeaky wheel?”

As well as the people you know, please also pray for your government and leaders. They need God’s wisdom and guidance right now to make right decisions and to time them well.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men: 2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (WEB)

Please also pray for your church leaders. Many places of worship have been closed and this presents something of a unique challenge for ministers and pastors alike.

Those working in the medical field will also very much need our prayers right now. In the UK, our health service was stretched prior to the pressures of the corona virus, and so they need our support now more than ever .

I could go on, but there is an unending list of people and situations we can pray for. Prayer is powerful, and we in the family of God can make a huge difference.

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (WEB)