Praying for Our Leaders: Why It Is Good to Pray for Them

Over the course of history, political power has shifted from one side to another. In the United States, every four years; or sometimes every eight years; the political pendulum can seem to swing left or right. Elections bring celebration for some people and disappointment for others.

People have many different opinions about leaders, presidents, celebrities and other public figures who have shaped history.

But as Christians, is our response supposed to change depending on who is in power? The Bible gives us an interesting answer.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people; for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

—1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

Why did Paul instruct Christians to pray for kings and those in authority? And why is it good for us to pray for our leaders today? Christians Are Called to Pray for Leaders. When Paul wrote these words, Christians were not living in a modern democracy where they could simply vote for the person they wanted in office. They lived under the Roman Empire.

Jesus Himself lived during a complicated political and religious period. Roman authority existed alongside local rulers and Jewish religious leadership. Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect of Judaea, while Herod Antipas ruled Galilee. Religious leaders such as the Pharisees and Sadducees also held significant influence.

Jesus entered a world where questions about authority, religion, government, identity and power were already deeply complicated. And yet Jesus did not come simply to become another political leader. He came preaching the kingdom of God.

Not everyone responded to Him in the same way. Some people followed Him. Some questioned Him. Some religious leaders opposed Him. Some people expected the Messiah to bring political deliverance, while others saw Jesus as a threat to the existing order.

Jesus' ministry took place within these tensions, but His response was different from the political divisions surrounding Him. He taught His followers how to respond to their enemies. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

—Matthew 5:44. That teaching is challenging. It is easy to pray for someone when we agree with them. It is much harder to pray for someone when we strongly disagree with them.

Prayer Does Not Mean Agreement. Praying for a president or another government leader does not mean that we agree with everything that person does. It does not mean we have to stop questioning policies. It does not mean Christians cannot speak against injustice. It does not mean we cannot disagree politically. Prayer and disagreement can exist at the same time.

Paul's instruction in 1 Timothy is significant because he does not tell Christians to pray only for leaders they like. He specifically tells them to pray for kings and those in authority. The purpose he gives includes the hope that people can live peaceful and godly lives.

That gives Christians something to think about.

What if instead of only praying when our preferred candidate wins, we prayed regardless of who was sitting in office? What if we prayed when we were excited? What if we prayed when we were disappointed? What if we prayed when we agreed? And what if we prayed when we strongly disagreed?

So Why Is It Good to Pray for Our Leaders? Paul actually gives us several reasons.

1. We Can Pray for Wisdom

Leadership carries enormous responsibility.

Whether someone is a president, governor, mayor, judge or another person in authority, their decisions can affect other people's lives. We can ask God to give leaders wisdom, discernment and humility. We can pray that they will listen to good counsel and carefully consider the consequences of their decisions.

2. We Can Pray for Justice

We can pray that leaders will pursue what is right and protect people who are vulnerable. We can pray for honesty and integrity. We can pray that corruption, selfish ambition and abuse of power would not control decision-making.And we can pray that leaders will recognize when they are wrong and have the humility to change course.

3. We Can Pray for Peace

Paul connects prayer for those in authority with the ability to live “peaceful and quiet lives” marked by godliness and holiness. Our country has experienced deep political division. People can disagree about nearly everything; from government spending and immigration to education, healthcare, foreign policy and social issues. But Christians are called to something deeper than political arguments.

We are called to pray.

4. We Can Pray for Leaders as People

Sometimes we can become so focused on a person's position that we forget they are still a human being. A president is a president. A governor is a governor. A senator is a senator. But behind the title is still a person who needs wisdom, accountability, guidance and; according to Christian belief; a relationship with God. That doesn't excuse wrongdoing. It means we can pray for the person while still taking seriously the responsibilities of the position.

5. We Can Pray for Their Relationship With God

Paul continues his explanation by saying that this kind of prayer is good and pleasing to God and connects it with God's desire for people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. That changes the way we think about political prayer. We aren't simply praying: “God, make this leader do what I want.”

We can pray: “God, give this person wisdom. Give them humility. Correct them where they are wrong. Protect them from corruption. Surround them with wise counsel. Help them pursue justice. Give them strength and courage. Draw them closer to You.” That is a very different kind of prayer.

Jesus Showed Us a Different Way. The political and religious divisions surrounding Jesus were real. People disagreed about Him. People had different expectations of Him. Some wanted political change. Some religious authorities opposed Him.

And ultimately, Jesus was crucified. Yet even while being crucified, Jesus prayed for those who were involved in His death: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”—Luke 23:34 Jesus did not teach His followers that love was reserved for people who agreed with them. He taught them to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them. That does not mean ignoring injustice or pretending that wrongdoing does not matter. It means refusing to allow hatred to become our response.

The Political Pendulum Will Keep Swinging. Political parties will change. Presidents will change. Public opinion will change. Elections will come and go. The political pendulum may continue swinging from one side to another. But the Christian calling to pray does not have to swing with it.

If we only pray for leaders we agree with, our prayers can become another extension of our political preferences. But if we pray for leaders regardless of whether we voted for them, we are practicing something Jesus actually taught: loving people even when we disagree with them.

Because according to Paul, praying for those in authority is not dependent on whether we approve of them. It is part of how Christians are called to live. The political pendulum may swing. Leaders may change. But our responsibility to pray does not have to change with them.

A Prayer for Our Leaders Lord,

Give our leaders wisdom, discernment and humility. Help them make decisions that protect people and pursue justice. Give them strength and courage to recognize when they are wrong and the humility to listen to wise counsel. Protect them from corruption, pride and selfish ambition. Bring people around them who will speak truth. Give our nation peace.

Help us as Christians to speak truth in love and help us to unite together even in our disagreements. And most importantly, draw our leaders closer to You. Amen.

Bible Gateway. “1 Timothy 2:1–4, New International Version.” Bible Gateway. 1 Timothy 2:1–4 — Bible Gateway

Bible Gateway. “Matthew 5:43–48, New International Version.” Bible Gateway. Matthew 5:43–48 — Bible Gateway

Bible Gateway. “Luke 23:34, New International Version.” Bible Gateway. Luke 23:34 — Bible Gateway

Drive Thru History. “The Trial of Jesus.” Titus Kennedy. March 23, 2018. This source discusses the historical setting surrounding Jesus' trial, including Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and Tiberius. The Trial of Jesus — Drive Thru History

Drive Thru History. “Herod Antipas at the Time of Jesus.” Randall Niles. February 27, 2017. Herod Antipas at the Time of Jesus — Drive Thru History

Drive Thru History. “The Importance of Chronology.” Titus Kennedy. This provides a historical timeline placing Jesus' ministry and the Roman rulers within the first century. The Importance of Chronology — Drive Thru History