1 Timothy 2:1-4

So, then, this is my very first command: God’s people should make petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings on behalf of all people—on behalf of kings, and all who hold high office so that we may lead a tranquil and peaceful life, in all godliness and holiness.

This is good; it is acceptable with God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth.

Do you pray for Donald Trump?

Or just complain about him?

Some things in Scripture are more super clear than others. One of the more clear directives we find is that we are to pray all the time for all kinds of people—including government leaders– in all kinds of ways. And I don’t think that we would be so directly directed to pray if it didn’t do any good, if there was no point to it. (Another clear directive is to not be a complainer.)

I still wonder what all God wants to do, yet waits on us to pray as a people for.

There’s that old quote, I believe from Chesterton, that Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried. This is how I feel about prayer. I’m not sure I’ve ever run into anybody who really prayed and found it to be pointless or completely ineffective.

But I’ve met countless people who don’t make the time to pray.

We start with what we know, praying in accordance with God’s will—what we know God wants. God wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth.

What if we committed to praying for this for all kinds of people including government leaders? If it was appropriate for the first century church to pray for governing leaders with Nero on the throne, I’m gonna take a wild guess that it is appropriate for 21st century Americans to pray for governing leaders, for the whole world.

Oh what would happen if we really prayed….

What would change?

In us?

In the world?

Let’s find out.