The 15th of February was indeed a significant and memorable day in the history of our nation. It was the day the electorate gave the mandate to the elected Government to serve them for the next five years. Therefore regardless of our political persuasions, it is time to put them aside and pray for our newly elected Government, the cabinet, and for all those in authority.

Mrs. Marilyn Hodge

It is our Christian duty to do so. It is a Biblical command. The Bible clearly tells us that we are to pray for those God puts in leadership over us. It is the sovereign will of God that allows men to rise to power. We should pray for guidance, protection, obedience, and God’s will. The Bible offers sound direction on why every Christian should pray. Romans 13: 1 directs, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

In his first epistle to Timothy, the Apostle Paul was also steadfast when he wrote: “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,” 1Timothy 2:1-3.

Prayer and intercession for leadership are important to release God’s plan for the nation to reach its potential. Praying for leadership will cause a positive change in their effectiveness and in the effectiveness of their various ministries.

When praying for our leaders, consider what the Bible offers as the marks of a good leader:
• Obedience (Exodus 6:9-12)
• Accountability (1 Chronicles 21:8)
• Courage (Nehemiah 6:10-13)
• Willingness to Serve (Matthew 20:26-27)
• Seeks Out Good Advisers (Proverbs 11:14)

By praying our leaders are obedient to God’s will for our nation, accountable for their actions, courageous in times of pressure at home and abroad, willing to serve for the good of their constituents, and one who seeks out good advisers. We can help influence our leaders to make solid, informed and Godly decisions.

Because of the natural division in people's political views, there are those who are not happy about the outcome of the election. However, the fact remains, God in his sovereignty has allowed those men to rise to become the leaders of our nation. Because of that fact, and our Biblical mandate to pray for our leaders, we should choose to show love for our leaders as children of God and practice intercession, whether our views are in conflict or accord with those for whom we are praying.

Here is a list of some things that we should pray for:
• That the leaders will realize that they were appointed by God to be the servants of the people. That He gave them the authority so that they will act responsibly and will realize that they will have to give account to God of everything that they do.
• That they will govern fairly and do that which is right. That they will be merciful, unselfish and sensitive to the peoples’ needs.
• That the decisions they make will be the right ones and that they will be in unity with the will of God.
• That they will have godly wisdom in their position when making difficult decisions under stressful conditions.
• That they act in wisdom and love and that they will treat others with human dignity.
• That the Holy Spirit captures their thoughts and that it will dominate their thinking.
• That they be sharp in insight and quick in discernment.
• They have the moral and political courage to do what is best for the nation.
• That they set high moral and ethical standards of conduct for themselves and for all those who are associated with them.
• That they surround themselves with people of integrity and godly wisdom.
• That they would have a “Daniel” to reveal the things of God to them.
• That they would fear God, be capable, trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain.
• That they walk in the Spirit, pleasing to the Lord.
• For the Holy Spirit to give personal direction, teaching, vision.
• For leaders to have strength to withstand fiery tests.
• For leaders to be sensitive to God’s voice, to have spiritual ears and hearts.
• That there will be no gossip, deceit, or unbelief.
• That all leaders will be in unity and attuned to the Holy Spirit for direction. That they will be supportive of one another.
• For God to give leaders a spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, strength, and obedient and reverent fear of the Lord.
• For discernment against impure motives.
• For God to lead and direct their paths.
• For all effects of tiredness and discouragement to be loosed from the leaders’ minds and bodies.
• For fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
• For total submission to the Lord in every aspect of life.
• For leaders to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
• For leaders to feed daily on the Word of God and maintain a faithful prayer life.
• That God would send angels to guard our leaders, their families, and property, to put a hedge of protection around all that is going in, coming out, the air above, and the ground below.
• That the angels would go before them and do battle on their behalf.
• That God foils all attacks and traps of the enemy.
• For leaders to learn to be wise stewards of time, to become disciplined.
• For leaders’ relationship with God to always remain the top priority.
• That there would be no resentment when sacrifice is required.
• That they will spend quality time with their families — both leisure time and spiritual time.
• Pray for a spirit of unity, not competition; humility, not superiority; cooperation, not defensiveness.

May God remind us, give us the boldness and determination to pray for those in authority, by offering prayer for our political leaders and others. For doing so, we are working to establish a peaceful and holy nation.

Remember: There is power in prayer.

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