How We Can Line Our Hearts Up with God’s Will for Leadership in the Earth Through Prayer
In a world full of political upheaval and polarization of political, religious, environmental, and economic ideologies, it can be easy to attack those that we disagree with. We may be tempted to cast blame, especially with leadership or people set in authority. But there is a difference between disagreeing with someone and attacking them. It is easy to find things we don’t like in leadership, but what should we do about it from a scriptural standpoint? Why does God tell us in the Word to pray for leaders, and what kind of benefit might that have on our lives?
Be thoughtful about what you speak out about governing authorities
According to the Bible, our job is not to judge leadership. That includes the nation’s leaders at the federal, state, and local levels, at work, and even in the church.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 says: Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Be careful what you speak out. It may seem minor or insignificant to you, but you may not understand what spiritual forces you are agreeing with. The word ‘curse’ in this scripture means to make trifle, belittle, bring contempt, or dishonor to the king (or government leaders). It is not our place or our responsibility to talk badly about our leadership or governing authorities (Except for a person who is in the office of a prophet and even in that case, it is God who is casting the judgment through them.)
We may judge according to our own interests; God judges with absolute wisdom.
Ultimately, God is the judge of all people. Only He sees the whole big picture and knows the thoughts and intents of the hearts of man. As believers, God’s called us to yield to Him and trust Him with the leaders that He’s placed in a position of authority. Let’s look at Psalm 75:
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, [unto thee] do we give thanks: for [that] thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. 2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. 4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck. 6 For promotion [cometh] neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:1-7 KJV
It is God who sets up leadership and sets them down. In the end, every person who has stepped into a leadership role, at any level, will have to give an account before God and will be judged for their actions, good or evil. The Word also says that the king’s heart is in God’s hands. No matter who is in office, God is the ultimate authority.
The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1 KJV
As we yield to God’s wisdom, we agree with His perfect plan
The story of Daniel reminds us of how God changes seasons and times. He removes rulers and leaders and sets up new ones as necessary. There are cases in scripture where he set up a king for either a benefit or to bring correction to a nation. The leadership he set up did not always fear God.
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Daniel 2:21 KJV
When we pray that God’s Kingdom comes and His will be done on Earth as it is in heaven, we are acknowledging that we are in agreement with His plan to put the leadership in place that is necessary to accomplish a specific task here on the earth. At the same time, as believers, we still need to fear God, trust His goodness and sovereignty, and yield to Him as our King. Our mission while here on Earth is to establish His spiritual Kingdom and authority regardless of who is in authority or political power on the earth.
Our Heavenly Father makes provision for His people
Throughout scripture, God made provision for His people regardless of who was in power for that season.
Let’s look at Psalm 105:
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7 He [is] the LORD our God: his judgments [are] in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: 12 When they were [but] a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. 13 When they went from one nation to another, from [one] kingdom to another people; 14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 [Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105: 1-15 KJV
As believers, we are grafted into this covenant. This covenant is still valid for us because of our faith in Jesus Christ. There may be some things that we must go through and suffer, yet they cannot negate the covenant because it stands forever.
Is there a condition to God’s covering?
The rest of Psalm chapter 105 highlights the challenges the Israelites faced throughout history and God’s faithfulness to deliver and bless them as they followed Him. God provided for each of them through all those difficult, but doable, times. There was, however, a condition to His provision: that they would continue to observe His statutes and keep His laws.
If we look at the current condition of the world, there are wars and rumors of wars, riots, supply chain issues, disease, and so many more things that could open the door to fear. All these things are happening to the world to bring correction. Yet God still promises that He will provide for us if we trust Him and yield to His will and His ways. So if you have a heart to serve God and love Him, what is there to worry about?
God’s divine wisdom for living peaceful and quiet lives
There may be times when we are tempted to lash out and say things that are not scriptural towards leadership. There are whole groups of people with slogans and derogatory sayings that attack leaders. Woe to them; that is not their job. The moment our attention changes from praying for them to attacking them, we need to get before God and repent.
First Timothy chapter two says: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV
Petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving are a powerful tools for change in the Kingdom of God
This is our responsibility, Church. We must bring all of our supplications and concerns to God in prayer first of all. This verse doesn’t say to vent to anyone else or bring ridicule or accusations. In your prayer time, be diligent to intercede for our leadership, your pastors, elders, deacons, your managers, bosses, executives, and local, state, and national government. Lift them up before God and entrust their care, guidance, correction, and judgment to Him. Why? So that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
When we agree with God’s will for the earth in prayer, we are actively participating in bringing His Kingdom to come into our lives and our nation. We are a part of the solution, not the pollution.
Somewhere the world has missed the mark because it is not going well with the world. But perhaps we can be instruments of change for God’s glory and honor in the world. Perhaps we can be the voice of peace and wisdom in a world of division and debate. Maybe we’ve been put on this earth for this very season and time to promote God’s Kingdom and His will in the earth.
Join me today in prayer for our leaders
Father God, I pray that you will bring salvation to our land, that you set up your people in places that they can influence even the highest level leaders and lead them to salvation and the knowledge of your love, grace, and mercy. Bring all leadership in our nation, state, local community, and jobs to the knowledge of you.
Let your Kingdom come and your will be done in our lives first and also in our nation and the world. Your Word says that it’s not your will that any man should perish, and we unite our hearts and our faith with you and ask that you will touch the hearts of those who are lost and bring them to peace, godliness, and honesty in you.
We repent for any areas of our lives where we have held onto bitterness or offense towards leadership and helped establish the enemy’s kingdom of division rather than participate with your love, grace, and mercy. We ask that you give us a right heart and spirit towards you and others so that we can bring glory and honor to you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Scott Harper
Would you like to read more articles related to this topic?
How to Stop Gossip and Slander – Why is gossip bad in God’s eyes, and how do we overcome it? As believers, we need to pay attention to what we agree with and speak out about others, especially leaders. Discover the root cause of gossip and slander and find real solutions for how to overcome it from the Word.
What is Killing the Body of Christ – Discover the enemy’s tactic to destroy the Body of Christ from within starting with undermining leadership and then dividing the body. Find out how you can be part of the solution and begin healing in the Church.
How to Overcome Bitterness – Anger and offense are a fruit of bitterness. It can be especially easy to become bitter or offended with leadership. Find out how to recognize a stronghold of bitterness in your life and how t overcome the enemy’s plan to separate you from Love.
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