Monday, March 28, 2011

Praying for Leadership

1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Did you know that it's important to pray for leadership? As John C. Maxwell says, "everything rises and falls with leadership." Why? Because the spirit of the leader resonates throughout the organization. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, head of the church of Ephesus, to pray earnestly for their country's leadership. During the period of Paul's letter, the Roman emperor Nero had begun persecuting Christians and Jews. Nero's persecutions were a deflection from blame for fires that spread throughout Rome. The portions of Rome that were not burned down were where the Jews and Christians resided. The fire was within Nero's palace as well. Christians and Jews were not liked anyway because they did not represent the old and pagan ways of Rome. So the fire was a perfect excuse to remove them. Why is this story important? Regardless of who's in leadership, every leader needs to be prayed for. The decisions of the leadership affect everyone. Whether it's leadership of a nation or an organization, the decisions impact all. To pray that the leadership make godly and fair decisions would be prudent. For God has put authority in place for a reason. The last thing anyone would desire is leadership like that of Nero. But regardless, prayer works and prayer changes things so to go to the throne of God on behalf of any leader is a sign that one is conscious that leaders are people too. Leaders are not invincible and need guidance and why not have the best guidance of all, our loving God who is the father of wisdom. King Solomon asked for wisdom to lead a kingdom, not all do so. So it is also the responsibility of those who follow to not only pray for followers but those who lead them.

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