A Prayer for Our Leaders — sacred illustration
✶ Our Bible Moments No. 262 / 272

Our Nation

A Prayer for Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-2

1 Timothy 2:1-2 is the apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy, whom he had left to guide the church at Ephesus, that prayers be offered for everyone, including kings and all those in authority.

Father, we bring You our leaders: the President, Congress, our judges, governors, mayors and all in authority. Thank You for them. Give them wisdom beyond their own, integrity when no one is watching, and courage to do right. Guard them and their families, and draw each of them to know You. Help us to honor them and pray for them, whatever our politics, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Amen.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 is the apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy, whom he had left to guide the church at Ephesus, that prayers be offered for everyone, including kings and all those in authority.

The Scripture

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.”

— 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Prayer points from 1 Timothy 2:1-2

  1. Thank God for those in authority over you, by name.
  2. Pray for the President and national leaders to have wisdom and integrity.
  3. Pray for your governor, mayor, judges and local officials.
  4. Ask God to guard leaders and their families.
  5. Pray that each leader would come to know the truth of the gospel.
  6. Ask for peace, so that God’s people may live quiet and godly lives.

About this verse

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, whom he had urged to stay on at Ephesus and guide the church there. Among his first instructions is prayer: “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” The kings and governors of Paul’s day did not share the Christian faith, yet believers were told to pray for them and to give thanks. Paul gives two reasons. Prayer for leaders serves peace, so that God’s people can live quiet, godly lives. And it pleases “God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Praying for a leader is not an endorsement of every policy; it is obedience, and it covers the leaders we voted for and the ones we didn’t. This prayer is for anyone praying for the President, Congress, governors, judges and local officials.

When to pray this prayer

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