Praying for Authorities...........

Praying for Authorities.................

"Actions and decisions made by people in authority create a significant impact on those within their sphere of influence - both good and bad." (Kendrick, 2015) 

Yesterday afternoon our women's GROW group at Wallace finished up a study "The Battle Plan for Prayer, from Basic Training to Targeted Strategies."  One of the last chapters was Praying for Authorities.  

I've been pondering this chapter all week. At this time of year, as a teacher, and at this time in our nations history it has so many applications that I felt it needed several readings - and as usual the deep rich conversation from Christian women just solidified my thinking and my need for repentance and guidance..................

Here are my take-aways................

1.) Our authorities either help us in doing the will of God, or they make it harder for us to pursue. 
--Think Moses and Aaron - here we have Moses following God's lead - no matter what - and then we have Aaron...the people get rowdy, he gets nervous, takes his eyes off God and sins.  Moses is like "What are you doing?? TRUST GOD!"  - even in his disgust Moses went again before the Lord on the peoples behalf (Exodus 32) -- Now that's a leader - sees his peoples imperfections, helps them right them and pleads before the Lord for them - WOW!! 

The example we see is great authorities be it parents, coaches, principals, law enforcement, teachers or the president....either help us do the will of God, or they make it harder! 

2) We are to pray for those in leadership roles....pray they would.........
--Pray they would be blessed, protected and prosperous (3 John 2)
--Submit to the authority and ways of God and His Word daily (1 Peter 2:13-20)
--Come to the knowledge of Christ and surrender to His lordship (1 Tim 2:4)
***Lead with honor, respect, wisdom, compassion and godliness (1 Tim 2:2)
--Use good judgment, pursue justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Mic 6:8)
--Walk in integrity, keep their promises, and fulfill their commitments (Ps 15; 112:1-9)
--Not get distracted or cower into passitivity, but embrace responsibility (Neh 6:1-14)
--Watch over, protect, lead and serve those in their care (Heb 13:17
--Respect all people without regard to their gender, race, religion, or social status (1 Peter 2:17)
--Hate evil, pride, injustice, and turn away from Satan's lies and schemes. (1 Peter 5:8)
--Establish rules and laws that honor God's law and strengthen families and cities (Deut 10:13)
--Reward those who do right and punish those who do wrong (Rom 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:14)
--Refuse to take a bribe or allow favoritism in judgment (Ps 15)
--Become hard workers who faithfully fulfill their duties (Prov 6:6-11; Luke 12: 42-44)
--Makes choices based upon the fear of God, not the fear of man (Ps 34; Prov 9:10; 29:25)
--Be a godly example in their roles and responsibilities (Josh 24:15)

**prayers both them and for ourselves, that we who "keep watch over their souls" will take our responsibility seriously and perform it with great care and honor, knowing we will give and account for how we handle the job

3.) God's call is for us to realize that unless they are asking us to sin, our obeying authority, in all situations, is actually obeying HIM! And by praying for those in auqthority, we are working in the best interest of everyone.  
---Government: pray for our countries leaders and elected officials, even those whose views differ from yours, knowing their leadership touches many people. God still uses imperfect authorities to carry out His perfect purpose. And the LORD can can turn any heart
--Bosses and Management: like all other authorities they are charged with four over-arching responsibilities 1) providing direction, instruction and an example to follow; 2) protecting with boundaries and rules; 3) praising those who do right; 4) punishing those who do wrong.; AND 5) pointing other to CHRIST! 
--Any leader dedication his/her position to GOD, can be used as a force of spiritual change! 

God Father, 
I chose to pray for those in authority over me as a demonstration of my submission to You. Please draw them to salvation and give them a fear of the Lord in all their decisions. Use them to guide, protect, praise and discipline me in order that I might do Your will, even as I do the same for those under my authority.  Use me to be a blessing. Grant me favor so I can daily help people live out their full potential under Your total authority and lordship. 

(Kendrick, 2015)