Pray for Our Leaders

By Paul Chappell

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

In 1776, a group of fifty-six men met in Philadelphia to set the thirteen colonies on the path to independence. Though they were not all Christians, many of them were, and they set a pattern for our nation that from the beginning of our history declared our reliance upon God Almighty. The Declaration concludes with these words:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Though many today would deny the godly heritage of America, the testament to our historical reliance on God is written into our founding documents and carved in stone on the walls of our national buildings and monuments. Those of us who are believers have a responsibility to both God and our country to pray for our leaders regardless of who they may be. The Roman emperors during Paul’s day were certainly no friend to Christians, but that did not change the command to faithfully pray for them. Just as our Founding Fathers once did, today we must again turn to God and seek His grace and favor for our land.

Today's Rooted Principle:

Pray for our country and our leaders today. It is pleasing to God, and it is good for any nation.