How to Pray for Political Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (NLT)

1 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.

2 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.

3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

INTRODUCTION:

I- THE PLAN GIVEN TO FOLLOW IN PRAYING FOR POLITICAL LEADERS. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NLT)

1 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.

2 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.

2:1 Παρακαλῶ οὖν πρῶτον πάντων ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας, ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων,

2 ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι.

A- Prayer for political leaders by believers is commanded. (1 Timothy 2:2a)

1 Timothy 2:2a (NLT)

2 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- We are instructed to pray for the leader of the nation.

a- In Paul’s day that was the King or Emperor (βασιλέων).

b- In the USA that is the president.

2- We are instructed to pray for all who are in authority ( πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων) ὑπεροχῇ= a state of high rank or position.

a- In Paul’s day, this would include senators, governors, city officials, etc. including military leaders.

b- This includes all political leaders that are present at all levels of government.

B- A plan for how to pray is given: (1 Timothy 2:1)

1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

1 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- Pray for (προσευχάς) The general word for prayer - this refers to talking to God on behalf of or for someone.

2- Ask God to help them (δεήσεις) Takes prayer for someone to the next level. Refers to that which is asked with urgency based on presumed need—‘request, plea, prayer.

3- Intercede on their behalf (ἐντεύξεις). This word speaks of intense prayer to God on behalf of another person, with the realization that God’s help alone will suffice for the need.

4- Give thanks for them (εὐχαριστίας). To express gratitude for benefits or blessings—‘to thank, thanksgiving, thankfulness.’ To express thankfulness for a person or for what they have done or are doing.

II- THE PETITIONS TO REQUEST IN PRAYING FOR POLITICAL LEADERS. (1 Timothy 2:2-4)

1 Timothy 2:2–4 (NLT)

2 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.

3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

2 ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι.

3 τοῦτο καλὸν καὶ ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ,

4 ὃς πάντας ἀνθρώπους θέλει σωθῆναι καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν.

A- Pray for their conversion to Christ. (1 Timothy 2:4)

1- God wants all people - including those who are in authority- to be saved (σωθῆναι ) and come to a knowledge of the truth(εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας).

a. σωθῆναι = pertaining to divine salvation—‘saving, bringing salvation.

b. εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας= ‘to learn about, to find out, to come to know the truth.

This is necessary for freedom (John 8:32, 36)

John 8:32 (NLT)

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:36 (NLT)

36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

B- Pray for their character to be commendable.

(Proverbs 14:34)

Proverbs 14:34 (NLT)

34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

(Proverbs 29:2)

Proverbs 29:2 (NLT)

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

1-

C- Pray for their choices to be conducive to missional Christians. (1 Timothy 2:2)

1 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)

2 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-

CONCLUSION: