Praying for the rulers
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
Be warned, O rulers of the earth. Psalm 2:10
Read Acts 4:23—31
Sometimes I catch myself praying for, or even against the political leaders of my era, world leaders. I can think of times I hear prayers in church on the same matter, and I admit these prayers and mine often sound quite timid, without much conviction that affairs can be the least affected. Really, these prayers are prayed as though the politicians we pray about are far stronger than God himself. How different are the Biblical prayers! The whole of history is in the hands of the Lord and his anointed. These rulers and their ministers exercise what power they have merely as allowed by the Lord according to his plan. I can see that my prayers need to begin, rather, where Jesus taught me to begin.
Prayer
My Father, our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name above every name, reverenced and adored above every power. Your kingdom come, and in the coming of your kingdom let your will be done. Frustrate those, even the most powerful, who would oppose your will. Let those powers, the leaders, the parties and the political decision makers have only what scope you allow for the furthering of your hidden purpose. Give confidence in every place, in the face of whatever authority has assumed power, to those who witness to the name of Jesus.