Praying For Our Nation

Issues – October 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Praying For Our Nation

Christians who pray for their nation are doing right, because the Scriptures tell us to do so. At various times we may feel particularly burdened to pray, and it is good to review both the topics and the attitudes of prayer for our nations as we fulfill this word from the Lord.

God established nations and governments as His agents for restraining evil and promoting peaceful stability. Romans 13:3 affirms that rulers should be “a terror” to evil works, for governors are sent by God “for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Pet. 2:14 NKJV). Christians should therefore pray that our nations will maintain peaceful societies. Both historical and current events illustrate the hardships of chaotic environments in which public safety is not a general standard. Thus every Christian should pray for those in government, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:2).

The second subject of this prayer grows out of the first. The reason to seek peaceable lives is because God wants all people to be saved and to know the truth (vv.3-4). This implies that secure conditions make it easier to present the gospel of the Lord Jesus, since the “word of the Lord may run swiftly” as we are preserved from wicked men (2 Th. 3:1-2). Sadly, most of us who live in well-ordered societies do not take advantage of this! We appreciate national stability for its economic and social benefits while ignoring its freedoms to proclaim the Word of God. Times of persecution have historically seen the greatest spread of the gospel, but in reality times of peace should also be times of growth (Acts 9:31).

Our attitude in prayer is also important. We recognize that we live in an evil day, for the rulers of this world rejected our Savior when He was here. Government systems will culminate in the rise of that man of sin, the Antichrist, who will unite the nations against Christ. Consequently, we should not expect any nation to be a Christian one. Scriptures such as 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 may foster prayer for repentance among leaders generally and individuals specifically. Although verses like these were meant for the nation of Israel, God does indeed respond to every humble and contrite heart. Yet while we pray for peace and an effective testimony, we should not imagine that the Lord’s righteous kingdom will ever come through human government.

This principle is especially important in countries featuring a democratic system of government. As candidates for election present competing views about leadership, citizens form opinions about them. Christians would obviously tend to compare those views with their understanding of the Scriptures, knowing that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). It is, however, dangerous to develop partisan attitudes. Regardless of which political party or authority holds power, we should honor our leaders (1 Pet. 2:17). We should pray that the Lord will put people in their lives who can speak about faith, righteousness and judgment (Acts 24:24-25). It is also appropriate to pray that their administrations will be successful. Joseph anticipated God’s answer of peace for Pharaoh; Daniel desired that Nebuchadnezzar’s foreboding dream would not become reality; the early Christians considered themselves “helpers and allies in promoting peace” by praying for the Roman emperors and living godly lives.* In contrast, it was shameful for the prophet Jonah to yearn for the fall of Nineveh when God saw it as a great city full of ordinary people who needed the truth.

Ultimately, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord (Rev. 11:15)! Until then, God uses even the basest, or vilest, of rulers to accomplish His purposes (Dan. 4:17). Regardless of who may govern, let us heed the exhortation: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Pet. 4:7).

ENDNOTE
* From “The First Apology of Justin Martyr,” c. 150 A.D. In Classical Readings in Christian Apologetics, L. Russ Bush, Ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1983, p. 9.

By Stephen Campbell