Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Why did the apostle Paul urge us to pray with “supplications” for “kings and all who are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:1, 2)? The “all” must mean of whatever political party our sympathies are enlisted; and yes, of whatever nation, too. It must also include the embattled police who are trying desperately to “hold” the tornado-winds of wild human passion that are blowing throughout the earth.
“All in authority” means that we should pray for leaders of other countries as well as for the president of the United States. These men and women are human beings of flesh, blood, and nerves like us all. They are finite men and women subject to deception.
As those who reverence the Bible and its Author, we have a holy duty we must not sinfully neglect--to put ourselves in their place as we pray. To bear the responsibilities of state could drive any “rulers” to distress, especially if they are immature: “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child” (Eccl. 10:16). The Savior has told us that in these last days leaders’ “hearts [will be] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth,” because “powers” that have always been a solid foundation beneath us “will be shaken” (Luke 21:26).
God has promised to send us “Elijah the prophet” (Mal. 4:4, 5) who will proclaim powerful New Covenant gospel truth to the world (cf. Rev. 18:1-4)--a final message of grace and mercy.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 8, 2005.
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