Taking It to Work:
Could you imagine what would happen if some of the key players in the government were to be saved and started following the Holy Spirit’s lead, in voting, making policy, and truly living out their faith at those high positions? Just a half dozen or so in Congress, a few more in the Supreme Court, state governors, circuit court judges – imagine how vastly different many of their choices would be, and how different life would be for our kids and grandkids. No wonder the Lord says to pray for our rulers.
Well, as hopeless as those prayers seem sometimes, they aren’t. If God can change a Saul to a Paul, He can change anyone. We know those leaders are struggling too, as all people do without God, and even with piles of money, that money can’t buy hope, love or eternity, and many of them know it.
Now to bring this a little closer to home, how about praying for that bad boss or coworker who you struggle with? Most of the reason you likey struggle with them, is that they are not living or leading with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, just like our favorite politicians, but how could we ever expect them to, if they don’t know God?
Now if you’re like me, it’s still tough to get yourself to pray for bad superiors…or bad people in general. But again, like everyone, they have burdens, internal struggles and pain they have to deal with. And considering they’re muscling through on their own steam, with no help of hope from the relationship we get when we belong to Christ, maybe that thought is enough to lift them up in prayer. In fact, your prayers may be the only ones on their behalf that they ever receive.
We need to have mercy on them as the Lord had on us. Pray that they follow the Father’s call into the Kingdom. Once at the Lord’s feet, the whole of their leadership will change, and the world they lead in as well, as His Word works in them, today.
Matt 9:18 (ESV) – While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
1Tim 2:1-2a (ESV) – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…
1John 5:5 (ESV) – Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
He who rules carries more burden. Do not disregard he who is chosen to bring commands. Each man carries burdens. Each has regrets and past troubles that do not leave him whole. If he is not Mine, he will have nowhere to rest from the burden. Pray for those in command, they who know not My name, and therefore, find no rest. Pray that he would enter the Kingdom. By My stripes he can be healed, and in faith approach He who loves and heals. By My Name they approach the Father, and even the dead are made alive. Have faith in prayer for them, that they may receive the call of the Father to My Name, and their great burden be healed, and their responsibility made light.
