"Pleasing Prayer"
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
1 Timothy 2:1-3
1 Timothy 2:1-3
There was a crowd at the Missouri State Capitol.
Unlike most crowds who show up at the Capitol, this group wasn't composed of fired-up protesters, who were upset with a recent decision. They weren't some special-interest organization speaking for, or against, a potential bit of legislation.
So what was this crowd? This crowd was composed of lobbyists.
Only these folks weren't lobbying Missouri's governing body; they were lobbying God on behalf of the state of Missouri.
Led by Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham, these Christians were praying the Lord would give the legislators the wisdom to deal with a projected $500-million-dollar shortfall in the state's proposed budget.
Please understand this: these pray-ers weren't trying to tell the state's leaders how they should spend the money. As Ms. Lotz said, "It's hard for me to budget my own household, but I know God has the wisdom. I know He can give us ways to get out of this."
I like that attitude.
So often criticism and complaint are the only words we hear spoken about our government and our leaders.
That's really not the way the Lord wants us to treat those folks. As our text for today's Daily Devotion says, God wants prayers, supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings to be made for those whom He has placed in authority above us. He knows that when we honor them, we are showing our respect for Him.
Indeed, I wonder how much things would change if Christians throughout the world would daily bring their leaders before God's throne, bring them with blessings and not with cursings.
This is why, this day, we pray for those whom God has charged with the duty of leadership.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I ask that You will guide and guard those whom You have placed in positions of authority. Grant these leaders of church and state a special measure of wisdom and direction. Let them rise above their sinful natures and walk on -- not wandering from -- the path You desire. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
