Day 15—Praying for Those in Authority

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1–4, NIV84)

To me (Pastor Steve), this verse gives important instruction to anyone serious about praying effectively. It doesn’t, however, say exactly what people often say it does—that when we pray we are to pray first for the governing authorities that are over us.

First of all, he says, you should pray all kinds of prayer for all kinds of people—pray for everybody!  Make requests, and petition God for the specific needs that different people have. Have general prayer over people, where you simply bring them before God and have conversation about them. Go deeper in prayer by interceding for them. To intercede is to stand in the gap for someone, empathizing with them as though you are the one struggling with what they are facing. And then prayer should always include thanking God for these people and for what He is doing in and through their lives.

Then Paul points out specifically the people who have authority in our lives. 

Here are five areas of authority that we should pray regularly for—

1. Governmental authorities. Don’t let whether you agree with the one in power affect your prayer for them.  The bibles says that there is no authority except that which God has established. Pray for wisdom and godly counsel to surround them. Pray for their health and strength, and for their families. Pray over elections.

2. Law enforcement. Law enforcement personnel have delegated authority that comes under governmental authority. Pray for their safety, and pray for their judgment in crisis. 

3. Family authorities. This could be your parents, and later in life it could become an older sibling. My mother is elderly, and my older brother has been recognized as leading the family. I should pray for him as an authority in my life.

4. Work authorities (or school, if you’re a student.) Pray for the person you report to and for everyone in the chain of command above you. Pray for the business owners and other decision makers, that God would bless them and give them wisdom. If you’re a student, pray for your teachers, professors, principals, and people who oversee your campus and facilities.

5. Spiritual authority.—Last but not least, you should pray for your pastors, elders, and other leaders in the church you are planted in. 

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17, NIV84)