WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE STATE AND LEADERSHIP

As we go about everyday life, the realm of politics often seems so far removed. Or, to be honest, we may not feel like praying for every leader.

But truth be told, our political leaders need prayer, no matter who they are. And as Paul exhorted Timothy, Christians are called to pray for those “in high positions.”

Bible says:

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, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.* This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1–4

Pray for those in authority. Prayer is the conduit through which God’s influence is brought to bear in any situation. If you believe that, you will pray instead of complaining.

Read Proverbs 21:1,

"The king’s heart is a stream of water *in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will."*

So, when we pray for leadership of the world God will turn their heart towards taking decisions that will preserve our interests and freedom of movement and association.

Get personally involved. Edmund Burke is attributed with saying, ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’ One person, plus God, can change things. So endeavour to be that person.

What has the Church been doing since the ascension of Christ? Have we been praying for those in authority? If we have, what went wrong? Is that God did not heed our prayers? Or probably we were praying amiss? There must be something definitely right or otherwise.

Why are we where we are today? Why is the leadership of the world succumbing to the coronavirus pandemic? Why are they giving in to the perceived uncontrollable mutations of the coronavirus? Why are they rather restricting our freedom of movement and association instead of taking decisions that will deal with the challenges confronting us as a result of the pandemic.

The church is reactional instead of being proactive and dictating the pace and state of affairs. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Our duty is to light up the world so that we walk in freedom and liberty. Our duty is to preserve the sanctity of our freedom and liberty as the salt of the earth and not to be confrontational in the flesh with the very people we had a responsibility to pray for God to give them divine wisdom.

Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, *what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.*

Another rendition says:

I will therefore that *men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,* without wrath and doubting.

1 Timothy 2:8

Sit up and stop complaining and reactional. Pray and stop operating in the flesh.

Join us Lift up those Holy Hands unto God in prayer for family, church and country.

Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA