Day 4: Leaders for Such a Time as This
Bible passage: 1 Timothy 2:1–4; Esther 4:10–17; Proverbs 29:2
First of All, Pray
Today is Monday 6th of April 2020. Welcome to Day 4 of our 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today we pray for government.
Our leaders are making decisions at the moment that reach into every home in the land. Whatever we think of their politics, they need our prayers, and Scripture tells us to give them.
Paul urges Timothy, first of all, to pray for all people. He is to ask God to help them, to intercede for them and to give thanks for them. In particular he is to pray for kings and all who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
When Paul wrote those words, the emperor was Nero. If Paul could pray for him, we can pray for those who govern us.
Why Government Matters
Good Leaders, Glad People
“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2 (NLT)
The proverb goes on to say that when the wicked are in power, the people groan. Government is meant to be a gift from God. Its task is to keep order, to do justice and to protect the weak (Romans 13:1–4). When it does that, ordinary people flourish.
God Wants Them Saved
Paul gives a second reason for praying. God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). That includes prime ministers, councillors and civil servants. Those in authority are people whom God loves, and they will answer to Him as we will.
Esther’s Moment
In the days of Queen Esther, a powerful official called Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. Esther’s cousin Mordecai sent her a message. Who knows, he said, whether she had been made queen for just such a time as this (Esther 4:14)?
Esther asked her people to fast for three days. Then she went to the king without being summoned, which was against the law and could have cost her life. “If I must die, I must die,” she said (Esther 4:16). God used her courage to save a nation.
Esther did not take power for herself. God had placed her where she was, and when the moment came she prayed, fasted and then acted. We need believers like that in public life today: as councillors, as Members of Parliament, as magistrates, as school governors and in the civil service.
Jesus tells us what kind of leaders they should be. The rulers of this world lord it over people, but among His followers whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant (Mark 10:42–45).
Prayer Points for Today
National leaders. Pray for the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and Parliament, that God would give them wisdom and strength for the decisions in front of them.
Local leaders. Pray by name for your Member of Parliament and your local councillors.
Character. Pray for integrity, humility and courage, and that leaders would remember that they answer to God.
Just laws. Pray for laws that are fair, that protect the vulnerable and that honour God.
Salvation. Pray that those in authority would come to know Jesus for themselves.
Exposure of wrong. Pray that corruption and dishonesty would be brought into the light.
Believers in public life. Pray for Christians who serve in government, and ask God to call more.
Prayer for Today:
Father, righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. I pray for all who are in authority over us. Give them wisdom beyond their own in these difficult days. Give them integrity and courage, and draw them to Yourself. Raise up men and women like Esther who will serve for such a time as this. Have mercy on our nation, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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