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Undivided Kingdom: I’m Thankful for Our President
Senior Pastor Jeff Maness
August 25, 2024
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. —1 Timothy 2:1
How was it that this Jewish knockoff cult had gained so much traction when its adherents all gave up without a fight? They didn’t go down swinging. They went down praying. —Pastor Andy Stanley
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. —1 Timothy 2:2
Big Idea: The command for how we should pray for our leaders doesn’t change because of who is leading.
Big Question: How should we pray for our leaders?
Main Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-6
How should we pray for our leaders?
1. Ask God to help them.
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. —Jeremiah 29:7
We Christians do pray for all the emperors, that their lives may be prolonged, their government be secured to them, that their families may be preserved in safety, their senates faithful to them, their armies brave, their people honest, and that the whole empire may be at peace, and for whatever other things are desired by the people or the Caesar. —Tertullian
Pray for all the saints; pray, too, for all kings and powers and rulers, and for your persecutors, and those that hate you, and for your cruel enemies. —Polycarp
How should we pray for our leaders?
1. Ask God to help them.
2. Intercede on their behalf.
Intercession is the very link between God’s heart and humanity. A voice on behalf of the people. Coming under the mighty hand of God with hands out toward those we bring before Him. A powerful expression of involvement in the lives of others. Engagement without always making an introduction. —Shauna Pilgreen in “Love Where You Live”
This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. —1 Timothy 2:3-6
We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God. —A. W. Tozer
How should we pray for our leaders?
1. Ask God to help them.
2. Intercede on their behalf.
3. Give thanks for them.
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. —Daniel 2:21a
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. —Romans 13:1
Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” —John 19:11a
When the prophets of old lamented the evil of the nations, they didn’t put their faith in a “good” national leader to confront a “bad” one; rather, they put their faith in God’s kingdom and his power to judge evil empires. —Preston Sprinkle
Books:
Jesus and the Powers by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird
Not In It To Win It by Andy Stanley
Exiles: Church in the Shadow of Empire by Preston Sprinkle
Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler
If you have decided to follow Jesus today, we’d like to celebrate with you and help you with some next steps. Please text Life to 855-725-2939 or click here.