GIVE THANKS FOR ALL LEADERS

By: Dennis Harworth

Therefore I exhort first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be make for all men, for kings and all who are in authority... 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

November elections are vitally important to the future of our country.  In order for our city, state, and nation to have a godly standard of morality, every believer is commanded to pray, take a stand for righteousness and then vote by Biblical principles.  It is up to the body of Christ to see the right people get elected.  When the “right” person does not get elected, how are we supposed to give thanks for ungodly or corrupt leaders, or people we just don’t like? 

When Paul wrote the letter to Timothy, Nero was the infamously cruel emperor at the time that persecuted, butchered, burned, or fed Christians to animals.  It is remarkable Paul made prayer and giving thanks top priority for not only Nero, but also for ALL those that are in authority over us.  This includes everyone from our bosses to business owners; and from city politicians to the President.  This priority would be the minimum requirement if believers are to live quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1). 

I can truly understand how important it is to pray for all of our leaders for their salvation and advancement of the Gospel (verse 4), but I still struggle to be actually giving thanks for them.  Then the Lord showed me thanksgiving is an active grateful language to God as an act of worship and should have a prominent place in our prayer life.  This means that we trust God for His sovereignty and divine wisdom as we express our gratitude for hearing and answering our prayers – thanking Him for what He has done and what He is going to do. For such prayer is good and right, and is pleasing and acceptable to God (1 Timothy 2:3, AMPC). 

Therefore, no matter who is in authority, good or bad, we are strongly encouraged to be obedient to 1 Timothy 2:1-2.  If we want to be able to lead a quiet, peaceful, and godly life, then we must first earnestly pray, intercede and: GIVE THANKS FOR ALL LEADERS.

Thank God nations can get back on their feet, if we get down on our knees first.