With reports of manipulation and abuse by well-known pastors and priests in our nation ever rising, how should we respond? It seems as though many Christian leaders are pursuing their own agendas rather than fearing the Lord and helping the Bride prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. What should we do? In the face of political strife and intense division within families, how should we respond?
Day 2: Pray for Our Leaders & Say Hard Things
Through Timothy, God tells us, “Therefore, first of all I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people—for kings and all who are in authority—so we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and respectfulness. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. He desires all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4, TLV).
There’s a reason that God tells us to pray for our leaders, it’s because they are fallible men and women, people of authority and influence who are capable of doing great things, or doing great harm. Leaders impact how others see God, and God wants everyone to see Him rightly and come to salvation.
So we need to do what God tells us to do. Let’s pray for our leaders to be humble people who seek the Lord and His Word first and foremost, who are hungry to hear what God says on a daily basis, and who give their all to follow Him.
Let’s pray they would be surrounded by godly counsel and be willing to listen. It’s in the covering of godly counsel that we find God’s protection and provision, not just with people who like and agree with us, but with the ones who are willing to say honest, difficult things in love. Proverbs 11:14 says, “A nation will fall if it has no guidance. Many advisers mean security” (GNT).
Our leaders are fellow servants, placed in positions of authority by God (See Rom. 13:1-2) and the Lord has instructed us in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as ones who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you” (TLV). What we are responsible for is our own attitude and action. When we honor the Lord first and follow His way, we can live at peace, regardless of what others do.
When we have issues of concern, let's first take it to the Lord in prayer. With the help and leading of the Holy Spirit, He will guide us with wisdom on what to do. When the Lord leads us to discuss a concern with our leaders, let’s remember Proverbs 10:10-11, “Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble, but one who openly criticizes works for peace. A good person’s words are a fountain of life, but a wicked person’s words hide a violent nature.”
As followers of Jesus and His way, we want to work for peace and with God's help and grace, we can do difficult things. If the issue of concern is of someone’s safety, we do pray, but we don’t wait to act on it.
As we pray for our leaders, let’s also pray for ourselves, that we would be sons and daughters growing in maturity, taking responsibility for feeding ourselves on the goodness of God, and filling our hearts and minds with the truth of His Word. Let’s pray that we would go to the Lord first and foremost to hear what He has to say and find satisfaction in Him.
Let’s take hold of this promise, “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:33, NLT). The peace of Christ is a promise. Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order” (John 16:33, The Voice).
As believers in Jesus, we are all a unique part of the body, fitting together as one church - to shine glory to God.
Paul, in Ephesians 4:11-16, explains, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (NLT).
Let's Pray
Father God,
We lift up our leaders and thank You for them. Help us honor the positions You've placed Your servants in.
Please give our leaders wisdom and direction for equipping us, Your bride, for Your return. Help them to seek You first on all things, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, or how large and important. Help them lay aside their own agendas and find and follow Yours.
Lord, where leaders have taken advantage of their position, expose corruption and sin hiding in the Church. You make wrong things right. Bring about justice for the oppressed and abused. Protect the children and innocent in Your fold.
Help us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
We are Your Church, Your bride, and we want to grow up, strong in You and strong together. Help us take our place and do our part.
Help us speak the truth, even when it’s hard.
Lord, fill us, Your body, with love - love for You first and foremost, and love for one another. Fill us with Truth. Fill us with courage.
We honor You and trust in Your leadership.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
(PS - See you here tomorrow for Day Three - "Fear the Lord")
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