Every member of Congress begins the new term with high ideals and objectives – members run for office because they want to create positive change in their communities and their country. But political pressures can creep in and pull them away from their original aspirations. Though you may not always agree with your members of Congress on issues or their decisions, as Christians, we are called to pray for our leaders. Most of them claim some kind of faith – 90.7 percent of Congress is Christian and nearly 98 percent is religious.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people —for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Send a note of encouragement to your members of Congress letting them know that you are praying for them. Thank them for the work they do and remind them to keep the needs of children around the world in mind as they make critical decisions.
What kind of things can you share?
A thank you for something your senator or representative has done that you appreciated.
A Bible verse that strikes you or a note of prayer.
Remind them of the needs of children who are impacted by their decisions, not only here in the U.S., but around the world.
Additional Links:
For more about praying for our leaders check out this blog.
Learn about World Vision’s approach to biblical advocacy.
Learn more about our biblical call to advocacy.
www.worldvisionadvocacy.org
KINGS & WORLD LEADERS
“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
CHURCH LEADERS
“(Pray) on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20) “Brothers, pray for us.”
NATIONS
“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
PRAY
“I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8)
LIVE BROADCAST
Meet us right here on this website every Saturday for a dynamic 2-hour broadcast, in which you can pray along with the host, and also bring forth your own prayer items. You will have the chance to call in to share your own prayer burdens for leaders around the world or in your own community.
SATURDAYS
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AST (HALIFAX): 2:00-4:00PM
GMT (LONDON, UK): 6:00-8:00PM
CET (STOCKHOLM): 7:00-9:00PM
IST (JERUSALEM): 8:00-10:00PM
VISION
Prayer for the leaders is all about being used of God to see things happen in our world. Our goal is to work with the Holy Spirit to pray while also encouraging people to see how powerful and awesome God is. There is only One who can actually open our eyes to make it all happen, and his name is Yahweh (as revealed in the Old Testament) and Jesus Christ of Nazareth (as revealed in the New Testament). He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We appeal to him, and him alone, to aid, restore vision and clarity of focus to, leaders around the world, both in the secular arena and in the church.
Prayers found in the Bible
Verses about prayer in the Bible
Recorded answers to prayer in the Bible
Recorded prayers of Jesus in the Bible
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God.
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up.
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Yahweh for it; for in its peace you shall have peace.
He who kneels the most, stands the best.
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints
Oh, will you pray? Stop now and pray, lest desire turn to feeling and feeling evaporate.
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. 15 And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”
CONTACT
Please use this form to contact a real human being. We cannot guarantee a response within 24 hours but if the information is relevant and you have indicated a desire to be contacted, we will do our best to contact you in the very near future. Thank you.
www.prayerfortheleaders.com
As our nation finds itself in yet another highly divisive election season, our tendency can be to draw firm lines between ourselves based on which candidates we support, and that can in turn lead to personal dislike for one another, anger towards those who lead, and eventually division.
As Christians, we are to live in a fine balance; standing for that which is true while seeking unity amongst ourselves whenever possible, standing firm in the faith while showing grace to those who do not, holding our leaders accountable while praying for their wisdom and well-being.
We are to learn from the words of Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”
We are to be those who stand in the gap, who lift up our nation with all it favors and faults before the throne of God, and pray that He continues to work in our midst.
Scriptures to Pray For Ourselves:
I Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I Peter 2:17 – Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
>Romans 13:1 – Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Jeremiah 29:7 – Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
II Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Scriptures to Pray for our Leaders:
>Psalms 2:10-11 – Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
>Proverbs 11:14 – For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
>Proverbs 21:1 – The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
>Job 12:23-25 – He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
>Proverbs 2:1-8 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3) indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7) He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
May we be faithful, informed and thoughtful when praying and talking to others about our politics, and as we ask for God’s wisdom and righteousness to be evident in our nation’s policies and leaders.
www.crosswalk.com
