Vital Signs: Friday, November 8, 2024

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” - Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT

Pray out of Obedience

We have learned that through prayer, one can live a life of personal peace and confidence in Christ. However, that is not the only peace prayer can achieve. Scripture promises us that we can also achieve societal peace through prayer. The apostle Paul instructed us, as God’s children, to pray for all people, especially those in authority over us, such as kings, presidents, and other government officials. He said that as we lift our public officials in prayer, we will live a quiet and peaceable life.

In the hot political environment we live in today, can you believe that prayer is the answer? It is. We should pray for our president, whether we support his political party or not. We should pray for all our representatives in federal and local governments. This is called a prayer of obedience. Scripture tells us that all authority is from God. Therefore, we must submit to every governing authority, as long as they do not contradict God’s commands. This does not mean we have to agree with everything our politicians do. However, prayer is an effective way to address our disagreements.

Instead of arguing with people you disagree with politically, offer to pray together for the official or officials in question. First, prayer will help you keep peace in your relationship with the other person. Secondly, Scripture also promises that the heart of a king, or president, is in the hand of the Lord. The Lord can direct officials to act according to His will. The Bible is full of examples of God changing the heart of a leader because His people prayed. God can also change our perspective on the situation. Sometimes, we might be the ones perceiving what is happening incorrectly, and the person in authority might be the one doing what God desires. Prayer is a win-win from any angle.

Currently, only 12% of Americans pray for government officials. Our world would be a better place if we as Christians resorted to prayer instead of complaining or arguing. We would definitely live a quieter life. When we stay obedient to God in prayer, He changes our hearts, our circumstances, and the hearts of others. He even changes the hearts of political leaders and, in turn, our societies. Confident prayer is the key to a peaceable life.