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When was the last time you sat down and prayed
for our country and its leaders? After hearing the insults fired
back and forth during the election campaigns, I realized once
again the immense need for prayer in America. We should be a beacon
shining throughout the world, but without God we can do nothing.
Prayer
is crucial for the success of America. We know that our senators,
judges, and other leaders are not perfect. They can, and often
do, make wrong decisions. If this is so obvious, then why don't
we pray for them? Some say that a few prayers won't make a difference.
However, the Psalms are full of God's promises to hear the cries
of His people. For instance, Psalm 145:19 says that "He will
fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their
cry and will save them." Psalm 34 includes the following
examples: "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered
me from all my fears." "This poor man cried out, and
the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
"The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears
are open to their cry." "The righteous cry out, and
the LORD hears them, and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Another excuse
is that there are other, more effective ways to help. James 5:16b
asserts that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much." Nothing can be more effective than going
to the Ruler and Judge of all creation. In Psalm 2 we are told
that the kings of the earth who set themselves and the rulers
who take counsel against the LORD and against His Anointed will
be broken with a rod of iron and be dashed in pieces like a potter's
vessel. Therefore, we should plead that our leaders will indeed
"serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling"
(verse 11 ).
Many of us,
including myself, recognize the problems of our country but "don't
have the time" to do anything about them. God has commanded
us to pray continuously; we should take time out of our busy lives
to go before the face of God in prayer. It is very clear in 1
Timothy 2:1-2 that we, as Christians, should intercede for all
men, especially for those who are in authority over us. Paul tells
us that we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus and
that through Him we have access to the Father {Ephesians 2:6,
18). God has allowed us to live in His presence, but with that
privilege comes a responsibility. Hebrews 4:16 instructs us to
come boldly to the throne of grace. Later on in Hebrews we are
told to have "boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood
of Jesus." In Genesis 18 we see Abraham interceding on behalf
of Lot. God had clearly already determined to save Lot {otherwise
His plan would have been thwarted by Abraham), yet He allowed
Abraham to play a part in His plan by "negotiating"
with Him. Likewise, God permits and enables us to assist Him in
accomplishing His purposes. Christ is our ultimate example of
intercession in that He constantly acts as our Mediator. In the
same' way we should intercede for others, but especially for those
in authority over us.
Prayer is
a wonderful privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.
God has not only commanded us to pray and given us examples of
intercession, He also has promised us that He will hear our prayers.
"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." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
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