Pray for Our Leaders

Just a few days ago, the first primary elections were held to consider who will be running for president in November. I don’t follow politics closely but those elections served as a reminder to me that we as a nation are always in search for strong leadership no matter which political party currently holds office. Most of us have seen people in our lives who have demonstrated what it means to be a strong and true leader. We’ve seen that person who inspires and lovingly serves those whom he or she is leading. Jesus is our model for that type of leadership. One of his most memorable acts of leadership is found in John 13 when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Although not everyone in leadership in our lives strives to serve like Jesus, it’s important that we still remember to pray for our leaders.

In 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 Paul writes,
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Each of us have people who are in leadership roles in our lives, whether it’s a parent, supervisor, employer, teacher, pastor, or government official. I can’t think of anyone in our nation who doesn’t have someone in leadership over them. So Paul’s urge applies to everyone.

Praying for people we serve with, work for, etc. brings changes in our lives because we continually see them as God’s child whom He loves and desires. I’m also reminded that these men and women need God’s wisdom and direction to make good decisions for the people whom they lead. It’s really interesting to me that as God adds value to our leaders’ lives, He is in turn doing the same for those who follow them. It’s pretty amazing that praying for someone else can have such a great impact.

As a staff, Lifeline employees are praying together daily. We want to spend time talking to God on behalf of our leadership, the children we serve, the families we work with and the leaders of each of our adoption program nations. In 1986 at the National Prayer Breakfast, then President, Ronald Reagan spoke well of our need to be in prayer for our leaders by saying

“Let us, young and old, join together… in the first step in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, his Peace and the resting of His kind and holy hand on ourselves, our nation, our friends in defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always.” Amen.

Gisella Sharp
North Alabama Social Worker