The label “politician” carries a negative connotation for most of us. It’s become commonplace and acceptable to criticize elected officials.  But as followers of Christ, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard.

What if we chose to pray instead of condemn? What if we were not permitted to criticize until we had prayed?

I’m chief among sinners when it comes to questioning the decisions of elected officials. But as I read Scripture and consider the state of our country, a few convicting thoughts come to mind:

1. It’s all on us. And by “us,” I mean followers of Christ. We really cannot expect unbelievers to behave like believers. But if those who claim to follow Christ would behave as we say we believe, there would be a huge shift in our country’s values and laws.
2. In a democratic republic, the elected officials represent the people who elect them. They enact legislation that reflects the beliefs and values of the citizens. If legislation enacted is contrary to Christian beliefs, perhaps we are failing in our call to both evangelism and discipleship.
3. Do we really believe in prayer? If the answer is yes, we should spend far more time in prayer for our leaders, than railing against their decisions.

Here’s the challenge: pray for your elected officials. Yes, that’s a call for today, the National Day of Prayer, but it’s also a call for tomorrow, and the day after, and all the other 364 days that are not the National Day of Prayer.

We really cannot expect unbelievers to behave like believers. But if those who claim to follow Christ would behave as we say we believe, there would be a huge shift in our country's values and laws. Click To Tweet

Are you in? Will you choose just one leader – whether a local, state, or national leader – and pray intentionally and regularly for that one person? Consider sending a note of encouragement, a scripture passage, or a thank you for his or her service.  Let your leader know you are faithful and you are praying.

This month’s Top Ten list identifies key points of prayer for our leaders. Use this list any way your want – pray all ten every day, or pray one each day and start over again on day 11.  Every point includes at least one verse of scripture, as well.

The leader that I have chosen to pray for (and have been lifting up in prayer for several months) is our state representative, Robin Lundstrum.  I use Robin’s name in the prayers below so they will have a personal feel; you, of course, can substitute President Trump, the governor of your state, your senator, the mayor of your city, or any other leader as God directs.

• That they will cherish understanding.
  “…he who cherishes understanding prospers.”
  Proverbs 19:8
  Lord, I pray that Robin would cherish understanding. As she interacts with those who disagree with her, those who hold different values, and those who belong to a different political party I pray that Robin would truly seek to understand, to desire collaboration, and to appreciate the other person’s perspective. I pray she would not just want to win the debate or the vote or share her opinion but would cherish understanding her colleagues. Please allow Robin to prosper in the state legislature as she garners respect from both sides of the aisle.
• That they will have a teachable spirit.
  “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
  Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
  teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”
  Proverbs 9:8-9
  “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
  Psalm 25:4-5
  God Almighty, stir up Robin’s heart with an insatiable desire to learn. Give her a heart that is humble and teachable, Most of all, let her be a woman who seeks to learn from You.

Do we really believe in prayer? If the answer is yes, we should spend far more time in prayer for our leaders, than railing against their decisions. Click To Tweet

• That they will know and do what is just and right.
  “By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”
  Proverbs 29:4
  “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
  Micah 6:8
  Father, I pray that all Robin’s decisions would be guided by what is right. I pray she would be known as a woman who walks in integrity. May she love mercy, may her actions be guided by what is fair, and may she walk humbly with You always and in all ways.
• That they will have a strong work ethic.
  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
  Colossians 3:23
  “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
  Proverbs 14:23
  I pray, Lord, that Robin would be known as a hard worker. May she be relentless and conscientious to study, listen, learn, and act responsibly as a state legislator. I pray she would know that You have provided this position and it is You she is serving.
• That they will be protected from evil.
  The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
  the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
  Psalm 121:7-8
  Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
  Psalm 91:1-4
  Jesus, protect Robin. Protect her physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and vocationally. Keep her from harm and watch over her life. I pray you would be her refuge, her fortress, and her strong tower. I pray that no evil could find its way to her and she would have a keen sense of where and from whom to steer clear. Hedge her in and keep her always close to You.

Here's the challenge: pray for your elected officials. Choose just one leader – whether a local, state, or national leader – and pray intentionally and regularly for that one person. Click To Tweet

• That they will desire wisdom.
  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
  James 1:5
  Holy Spirit, empower Robin with great wisdom – wisdom that defies her natural abilities, her education and her experiences. Give her wisdom that clearly comes from You. Work in her heart to seek You and to ask continuously for Your wisdom.  As she asks, please give wisdom generously and prompt her to acknowledge Your provision and praise You for it.
• That they will guard their hearts.
  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
  Proverbs 4:23
  Lord God, protect Robin from any temptation of pride, prestige, position or wealth. Guard her heart and keep her wholly devoted to You. May she prosper in all she does because her chief aim is to bring glory to You.
  
• That they will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
  “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”
  James 1:19
  “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
  Proverbs 29:11
  Jesus, give Robin a heart to listen before responding and truly hear and understand the other person. As she responds, may she be thoughtful and careful in choosing her words. Guard her heart from anger. Let her intercede in stressful situations – allowing Your Spirit to lead out so that any anger evaporates, and she responds with maturity, kindness, and wisdom.
  
• That they will steward their influence well.
  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
  Luke 12:48
  God, thank you for this high honor and this position Robin has been given. She has received much from You and she has been faithful to use what you have given – time, talent, and treasure – to serve You. I pray she would continue to make the most of every opportunity to be a good steward of her ability to influence others in the legislature, in her party, and in her community.
• That they will know God loves them.
  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
  John 3:16
  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
  Romans 5:8
  Dear God, as Robin awakes each day I pray she would abide in the truth that you love her. May Your favor rest upon her and may Your presence bring peace and joy. May she live free from striving and performance, resting in the confident assurance that she is loved by You. May she live like she is loved!
  

I pray each of you reading accepts the challenge to pray today – and to keep on praying – for one elected official. We invite you, in the comment section below, to let us know who you have chosen and publicly commit to praying for that person.

May God bless each of you today, as we celebrate the National Day of Prayer!

 

Click to download
Ten Prayers for Our Leaders
in a printable PDF format.

Read more from Laura here.