Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. Through prayer, we communicate with God, bringing our requests, praises, and thanksgivings before Him. As believers, we are called to pray for many people and circumstances. One specific instruction we find in Scripture is to pray for our governing authorities and leaders. But why are we exhorted to pray for leaders? What kinds of things should we pray for them? And how does praying for leaders align with and contribute to living out our faith?
The Bible gives several reasons why we as Christians should make it a priority to pray for our leaders. First, Scripture teaches that civil authorities are established by God. There is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1). Therefore, we recognize that even leaders we disagree with or who are nonbelievers have been sovereignly permitted to rule by God, and we honor His institutions. Furthermore, we are instructed: “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” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Praying for authorities enables us to live peaceful, godly lives and spread the gospel. The prosperity of Christians is tied to the health and stability of the state.
Additionally, God desires all people to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). This includes rulers. When the apostle Paul wrote the above words urging prayer for kings, the Roman emperor was Nero. Even ungodly leaders should be prayed for that their hearts would be changed to accept Christ. God can work through any leader to accomplish His purposes, and prayer aligns our hearts with His desire for salvation. Believers recognize God’s sovereignty and trust that He can transform even the mostworldly figures when we intercede on their behalf. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Prayer moves Him who moves the world.” Our prayers play a real role in seeing leaders come to repentance and faith.
The Bible gives many examples of prayers for civic leaders. The prophet Jeremiah instructed the Jewish exiles in Babylon to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). Despite living under ungodly Babylonian rulers, the people were to pray for and honor their authorities. Daniel was a high official in Babylon and Persia. Yet “when Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10). Daniel prayed for the kings God had placed over him, even as he remained devoted to God.
Jesus also emphasized praying for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Government leaders do not always act justly, yet we should still intercede for them rather than harbor bitterness and resentment. The prophetic witness of the Book of Revelation shows saints praying “How long, O Lord?” for justice to be done (Revelation 6:10). Standing for truth does not preclude praying even for wicked rulers. Finally, Jesus and the apostles modeled praying for civil authorities. Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The early church prayed earnestly for boldness to preach the gospel, even in the face of persecution (Acts 4:29). Praying for authorities does not imply endorsing evil actions or wrong ideologies. Rather, it honors God’s sovereignty and seeks even unrighteous leaders’ transformation.
Having covered biblical reasons to pray for leaders, what kinds of prayers should we offer on their behalf? First, we should ask God to grant them wisdom in decision-making. Rulers face tremendous pressures and complex challenges governing human societies. They need discernment applying justice and pursuing policies that will best benefit those they serve. “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). Imploring God’s wisdom upon leaders aligns with His desire for order, justice, and human flourishing. We also need to pray for their safety and the safety of citizens under their authority, as “the one in authority…does not bear the sword in vain” (Romans 13:4). Upholding law and order is part of their divine mandate.
Furthermore, believers should pray that leaders have righteous counselors and are surrounded by wise, God-fearing people to advise them. We see this in leaders like Joseph and Daniel who served pagan rulers but stood for truth. The decisions made by authorities affect many, so they should seek input from wise advisors who will speak truth – we need to pray they have such godly voices guiding them. Prayers for their families are also appropriate, as an authority’s family life impacts their leadership. We can pray for spouses and children to be shielded from undue attacks or pressures from political enemies. It is much harder to lead well if one’s family is in turmoil – leaders need grace and peace in their home lives. And above all, we should pray persistently that God would soften hard hearts, open blind eyes, and cause even the most secular authorities to accept Jesus Christ as their savior and lord. With Him, truly righteous leadership follows.
It is also important we have the right heart attitudes and motives when praying for authorities. Our prayers should be offered with deference to their position and authority which has been established by God. We pray for leaders not in a partisan political sense but in recognition of their unique role and challenges. Prayer should arise from sincere desires to honor Christ through serving those in government. As believers, we know that “there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). No leader can perfectly solve societies’ challenges or bring in true justice apart from Jesus. Our allegiance is ultimately to God’s kingdom rather than any earthly ruler or party. But we serve God’s purposes when we pray for imperfect but divinely ordained leaders.
Praying for leaders also fosters good citizenship and love of neighbor. When we pray for authorities, our own hearts become more compassionate rather than resentful or cynical. We see leaders as fellow humans in need of God’s grace, just like us. Moreover, sincere prayer leads us to make petition not complaint, to avoid gossip or slander, and to maintain hopeful faith in God’s answers and timing. Earnest prayer for authorities confesses trust in God to act in His time, rather than forcing our agendas. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). When we pray, we admit that though we can seek to influence leaders, ultimately they are accountable to the true King over nations, Jesus Christ. This right ordering in prayer transforms our hearts to honor others and live out Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor.
In summary, praying for civic leaders exhibits trust in God’s sovereignty, seeks God’s mercy upon all people, and fosters our role as good citizens and ambassadors for Christ. We should pray for authorities to gain wisdom, pursue justice, uphold righteousness, receive godly counsel, and be transformed through faith in Jesus. Praying for leaders may not always change particular policies we believe should be different. However, prayer is part of how God sovereignly works through and even transforms secular authorities for His purposes. When we pray rightly it deepens our compassion, curbs cynicism and changes us rather than just the leaders. We may not always appreciate or agree with those in power over us. But praying for them faithfully and sincerely is an important way we can honor Christ while awaiting the fullness of His kingdom.