On this Fourth of July, the deep moral and ideological divisions are manifested in social and political turmoil that centers upon President Donald J. Trump and his administration. Mr. Trump is one of the most controversial and, some would say, divisive and even hated presidents in modern history. Many on the political left despise him because they believe he stole the presidential election of 2016. They have resorted to attempts to tarnish and disrupt the Trump presidency by convicting him of collusion with the Russians. There are also attempts to trap him in regard to inflammatory social issues, most recently his now cancelled policy of separating illegally immigrating children from their adult “guardians.”
It is clear that the "fireworks" of political division in America will continue long after this Fourth of July. Instead of arguing over competing visions of what America ought to be and the best ways to get there, I believe that Christ-follower’s, those who have surrendered their lives to the Person of Jesus Christ and His Word, are called to pray. I do not see praying as a convenient cop-out from the “real world problems” we face. Instead, those who have studied American history will know the vital part the providential hand of God played in the birth of our nation.
Today in the midst of storm clouds of disruption and division, it is only fitting that Christ-followers pray for America and for her leaders. The commands in Scripture to pray include those from the inspired pen of the Apostle Paul:
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Timothy 2: 1-4 (NIV)).
Paul is urging Christ-followers to enter into spiritual communication with God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our access to God is made possible by the shed blood of Christ who sits at the right hand of God. Christ is glorified when we enter worshipful prayer in His Name. [Click on box, “What Happens When We Pray?”]
…in true prayer God has a “privileged voice,” one might say. And the final objective of prayer is not experienced in our speaking so much as in our allowing God to speak, to have the final word, but more, to have THE word that speaks into our lives. It is this word that empowers, liberates, sustains and guides; it is the word we long to hear.
Referring back to 1 Timothy 2: 1, the Scripture commands us to pray in several ways. First, we are to petition (make requests of ) God according to His character and purposes. Then, notice Paul also calls us to intercede (pray on behalf of the needs of others) and offer thanksgiving to God for others and for the blessings (and trials) He brings our way.
How then should we pray for our nation and specifically “for kings” on this Fourth of July, or on any other day? After all, we do not have a king ruling over us as was the case when Paul wrote to Timothy around AD 63. In fact, when Paul wrote the command to Christ-followers to pray “for kings and all who are in authority,” the godless Roman emperor Nero was in power. The date of Paul’s writing was approximately one year before the Great Fire in Rome. Nero, who many believe may have been involved in starting the fire, laid the blame on Christians and ordered the execution of many innocent believers.
Instead of an unelected, godless emperor, we have a president who was elected to serve as the executive of a democratic, republican government. Historically, presidents elected by the will of the people have been shown respect even among those who did not vote for him. By all indications as I have already indicated, President Trump is sincerely trying against much opposition to keep his campaign promises for the benefit of our nation. However, hatred of Mr. Trump and his conservative policies is continually expressed by vicious personal attacks as well as verbal attacks upon his wife, family, and members of his administration.
Christ-followers ought to expect a disregard for authority from those who disregard the authority of God’s Word. But the souls of both nonbelievers and believers are worth much more than winning political arguments. Therefore, Christ ought to be honored in all of our conversations and actions. If we return to the Apostle Paul’s writing in 1 Timothy we can find Paul’s basis for showing respect for authority and being civil in conversation.
Immediately preceding Paul’s command to “pray for kings,” he writes, “I urge, then….” which may be translated “I urge, therefore...” If we back up to 1 Timothy 1: 15-16 (NASB), we can see what the “therefore” is there for. Paul reveals his own humility in the face of Christ’s patience toward him. He writes (emphasis mine),
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
As Christ-followers perform the important work of praying for our nation and all those in authority, including President Trump and his administration, we ought to meditate on Paul’s testimony as the “foremost of all” sinners. Like Paul, we should never forget that we were also forgiven an infinite debt of sin. Then, as we confess our own sin and take the log out of [our] own eye…so we can see clearly to take the speck out of [our] brother's eye (Matthew 7: 5), perhaps our prayers will be heard and answered for the benefit of our own personal relationships, our families, and our nation, that by God's grace it could be “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Application -- What About You?
If you are like me, you read lots of articles and books but fail to make specific applications to your own spiritual life as a believer and Christ-follower. For example, you may have just read my article, "What to Do about 'Fireworks' in America" and are asking, "What will I do?" If you are asking this question, here's a suggestion.
The heart of this article is a call to PRAY. If you re-read or scan the article, you will notice some thoughts on what prayer is and how to pray. My thoughts on prayer are derived from what Daniel Henderson calls "Scripture-Fed, Spirit-Led Prayer." For the past 20 months I have been blessed to pray in a small group at our church in which we use Henderson's approach, led by a former student and now brother in Christ, Kirk Fairhurst. May I encourage you to read more about "Scripture-Fed, Spirit-Led Prayer" by checking out the following links, and then beginning to practice praying in this way individually and, as God allows, with other Christ-followers. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Links from Daniel Henderson's Strategic Renewal website:
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