by Glenice Mills
1 Timothy 2:1-6
"1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and all giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ;
6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Scripture is very clear, we must pray for those in leadership positions, for those who have authority in a nation, church, and areas of governance.
The Lord spoke to me about praying for those in authority, that they need our prayers always but particularly more so at this time. I was particularly mindful of Kevin Rudd, our Prime Minister, Anna Bligh the premier of Queensland, Ron Clarke the Mayor of the Gold Coast and for our church leaders, in my case, Lynne Hamilton, our Senior Minister here at Forerunners International.
These men and women have a God give position of authority. God has placed them in these positions and the onus is on us, God’s people to stand with and support them in prayer. The Lord was particularly concerned for the ones in government at both a state and federal level. We see what they do, we hear of the decisions they are making but we are quick to pass a judgment. It does not matter whether we agree with their decisions or not, we need to pray for them as PEOPLE.
These men and women have been given a God ordained function but they are people as well, people who have their own personal struggles, people who feel emotions, people who have family - spouses and children, people they love and are concerned for, plus the myriad of other concerns they carry because of the position they hold.
Kevin Rudd needs our prayers. He has difficult decisions to make, and whatever decision he comes to, he will never satisfy everyone. I am mindful at this time of the decision he must make concerning the asylum seekers. He can be swayed by the emotion but he must look at the facts, come into a consensus of opinion with the other nations involved, plus carry the load and concern of the welfare of the boat people. He carries the load that this decision affects the lives of people and their future safety for them and their families and also for the safety of this nation.
Sadly we are all good at being arm chair critics, myself included. The Lord convicted me, showing me where I have been quick to judge, pass criticism, instead of praying for him, and asking for the Lord to lead him and guide him as he makes these crucial decisions. Remember Kevin Rudd the man. He needs our prayers!
We don’t have to agree with the politics, the political party they represent, but we are told to pray for our leaders.
Anna Bligh needs our prayers, as she faces opposition on a number of levels. How quick people are to judge what she wears, how she looks, but forget that she has to make decisions that affect the long term growth and development of Queensland. She is leading a state that has the fastest growing population, that needs massive amounts of money spent on infrastructure to maintain and plan ahead for the projected growth of this state, and to also have the responsibility of overseeing the financial budget for Queensland.
These leaders carry a huge responsibility and decisions they make now not only affect us now, but they will impact us in years to come.
Don’t forget she is a person too. She needs our prayers!
The Lord was particularly concerned for Ron Clarke, our Mayor here on the Gold Coast. Here he is, again making crucial decisions affecting the growth and development of a fast growing city, and also having to deal with his own personal emotions with the recent death of his daughter. What a load he has to bear at this time! Could you function like this, dealing with running a city, and the grief of loss of his daughter. I know I couldn’t.
Remember Ron Clarke, the person. He needs our prayers!!
Our church leaders need our prayers. There is always opposition from the enemy as they carry the burden for His church and for His people.
Pray for your church leaders, they need your prayers!!
Unfortunately there is a thinking over this nation that is quick to dishonour those in authority positions. It is tied in with the ‘tall poppy syndrome’ that will pull one another down, that would hold people back and keep them in a holding position rendering them ineffective. How can this nation move forward embracing all the Lord has for it, if its people ‘kill’ the leaders by their verbal attacks, criticisms and deep rooted venom. These leaders need our encouragement, not our denigrating.
It must start with Christians first. We must come in the opposite spirit, that is, instead of criticising, we encourage by the words we speak, and most importantly we pray for them. To honour someone is to esteem them, to think highly of them, and to treat them with respect. Certainly the actions of Australians do not display this character attribute, and it must start with us, to change our thinking, to watch what we think and say, and to come in the opposite spirit.
We see in the houses of Parliament at both a Federal and State level where debate has lowered to character assassination instead of discussing issues. It is good that we have democracy where opinions can be expressed, where ideas can be discussed, but it is disgusting where the debates have crossed a line, muddied the water and become an excuse for personally attacking one another. If what is spoken under privilege in Parliament was spoken outside of it, the words would be libellous. How has it come to this?
Why do we not confront the level of attacking of one another in Parliament but instead accept it as being what happens in government? Why do we sit back and allow this behaviour to continue? Why is there no accountability by those in Government to change and to instead have healthy debate dealing with issues as issues? Why aren’t we, the people, rising up and saying this behaviour is unacceptable and it needs to change?
Maybe it’s because this is happening in the church. It must start with us first. How can we expect society to change if these very same things are happening with us Christians. We are more subtle about it, we do it in secret, however the Lord sees and things can’t change until we change. We need to acknowledge our backbiting, slander, competitive spirit, and one up man ship that is prevalent among God’s people. We must recognise it is a ruling spirit over Australia and repent of it, come in the opposite spirit and bless rather than curse.
The Scripture in Timothy says if we pray for those in authority there will be peace and we will lead a quiet life.
It starts with me first! It starts with us first!!
Lord change our hearts, show us where we dishonour and pull one another down. Teach us and show us Your ways. Lead us into all Truth, I pray!! AMEN.
