Over the weekend, many were quick to call us to pray for President Trump, that he would recover from the coronavirus.
And, many countered that we should do less praying for Trump and more calling him to repentance for his racist ways, and to actually provide the same level of healthcare that he is receiving to all people.
All that to say, when a leader gets sick, you find out pretty quick what their theology is, whether they are praying for his recovery or repentance.
First a Word To the Left and To the Right
Before getting to how we could pray for President Trump, I have something to say to those on the Left and the Right.
To the Left: Actually Pray
Oh, that you would pray.
This might be offensive to many progressives who seek to live and emphasize the social ethic of Jesus. But if you aren’t regularly praying, and intimately communing with God the Father, learning what the Father is doing in the moment, cultivating the compassion of Jesus for all people (which can, yes, include anger), but if you aren’t regularly praying…
THEN YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.
You are just making Jesus a prop in your political program.
Jesus lived a life of “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), in actions and intimacy.
To the Right: Let Justice Roll
Oh, that you would seek justice for all.
This might be offensive to many conservatives who feel they follow Jesus and are seeking justice. But if you aren’t regularly seeking justice for all in your daily life (rather than just once every four years by voting for pro-life / anti-abortion candidates), seeking healing for the sick (through miraculous prayers and affordable healthcare), seeking liberation for the oppressed (be they spiritually or socially oppressed)…
THEN YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.
You, too, are just making Jesus a prop in your political program.
Jesus lived a life that would “let justice roll like a river” (Amos 5:24), declared as a manifesto at the beginning of his ministry (Luke 4:14-20).
4 Ways to pray for a president.
With that exhortation to the Right and the Left out of the way, what are the ways we could pray for a world leader?
1) Pray for Peace
When we are encouraged to pray for world leaders, these are the verses most often cited.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Jeremiah 29:7
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
So we should pray for peace.
Now, what this actually means for you might be pretty different than for others. There is quite a bit a latitude in regard to the peace that needs to be restored in our society.
So, praying for a restoration of President Trump’s health is along the lines of praying for peace.
2) Pray for Repentance
But are there other passages that speak to world leaders that we could pray over them? Yes, lots.
Psalm 2: 10-12
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 21:1
In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
And then there is the whole David and Bathsheba incident (2 Sam. 11-12), where Nathan came and confronted a king for his sin.
So, while kings are set up God (Rom. 13), they are not above reproach, they are not gods that we must reverence without any rebuke, they are not above repentance. Even the King of Nineveh repented with his people, avoiding God’s wrath (Jonah 3).
So, praying for world leaders to repent is also a way of praying for peace, and a way of even praying for the prosperity of the nation.
3) Pray for Perspective
I’m all for prayer. So let’s pray. But we also need perspective when it comes to praying for world leaders.
Isaiah 40: 15-17
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing.
Job 12:23-25
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
And please read the book of Daniel about the fate of kings and kingdoms.
And remember, that while God raises up his anointed, he can also bring them down (just think of King Saul).
And God even enticed the downfall of king Ahab (1 Kings 22).
So, praying for perspective is a great idea. We need perspective when it comes to the coming and going of kings, kingdoms, governments, and presidents.
And presidents and governments need perspective that they play only a role in God’s plans, and God can change their role whenever he wants.
4) Pray for your enemies.
Matthew 5:43-44
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
And let’s not pray this selectively.
Let’s not tell others to pray for their enemies, like a conservative telling a progressive they need to pray for President Trump’s recovery, because they is how they should pray for their enemies.
To you conservative, are you praying for your progressives enemies?
5) Actually Pray, and let Justice Roll
As I said above, let us actually pray without ceasing, and actually seek justice for all.
Amos 5:14-15, 23-24
14 Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
15 Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice at the gates [a social/public justice]…23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
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