Benefit Yourself By Praying for Your Authorities (I Tim 2:1,2)
There is a general skepticism about authorities in our world today. But the Bible makes it clear that it is our obligation to pray for those who are in authority over us so that we live peaceful and quiet lives. Failue to pray for authorities can result in all kinds of chaos, misfortune and decay.
Illustration: Abe Lincoln
Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments President Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.
As she entered Lincoln’s office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to ask a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.
With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, “You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Our Daily Bread, June 4, 1997
Illustration: Bill Moyers
The story goes that one time when Bill Moyers was a special assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, he was asked to say grace before a meal in the family quarters of the White House. As Moyers began praying softly, the President interrupted him with “Speak up, Bill! Speak up!” The former Baptist minister from east Texas stopped in mid-sentence and without looking up replied steadily, “I wasn’t addressing you, Mr. President.”
Don Oberdorfer in Washington Post, quoted in Reader’s Digest, April, 1980
Illustration: Cattle on a Thousand Hills
In its early days, Dallas Theological Seminary was in critical need of $10,000 to keep the work going. During a prayer meeting, renowned Bible teacher Harry Ironside, a lecturer at the school, prayed, “Lord, you own the cattle on a thousand hills. Please sell some of those cattle to help us meet this need.” Shortly after the prayer meeting, a check for $10,000 arrived at the school, sent days earlier by a friend who had no idea of the urgent need or of Ironside’s prayer. The man simply said the money came from the sale of some of his cattle!
Today in the Word, MBI, January, 1990, p. 36
I. The Holy Spirit helps you pray for your authorities in the following areas, use these as a helpful guideline:
1. The Spirit urges you to make all requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all those in authority. As we pray in the power of the Spirit for our authorities, we will experience numerous spin off benefits in the way the Lord blesses those who are over us. (I Timothy 2:1,2)
Illustration: Ask for Great Things
It is said that on one occasion when Caesar gave a very valuable present, the receiver replied that it was too costly a gift. The Emperor answered that it was not too great for Caesar to give. Our God is a great King, and He delights to give gifts to us: so let us delight to ask Him for great things.
Moody’s Anecdotes, p. 10
2. The Spirit teaches you how to ask God to grant your authorities ALL spiritual wisdom and insight so that they can walk in a way that pleases the Lord in all respects and bears fruit in every good work while they increase in the knowledge of God. Pray that they will be strengthened with all power according to HIS glorious might for the obtaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy. (Col. 1:9-11)
3. The Holy Spirit reminds you to ask the Lord to supply the following specific needs for your authorities:
A. Balance in all of their decisions, actions, perspectives
B. Cooperation from their people, peers and superiors in the church, government & community
C. Assistance in areas of weakness
D. Humility to remain teachable, available and faithful to the word of God in all circumstances
E. Focus on Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of our faith
F. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness
G. Health, emotional, physical & mental well being
H. Protection, safety, security and safe keeping
I. Provisions, supplies, materials and resources
J. Successfully fight the good fight of faith
K. Taking up the full armor of God
L. Consistently praying in the Spirit
M. Courage to accomplish all that God desires
N. Favorable relationships with other wise leaders who they can learn, sharpen and benefit from
O. Sensitivity to the needs of their people
P. A servant’s heart, mind and lifestyle
Q. Willingness to learn from correction and change
R. Wisdom in choosing Biblically qualified advisers who can help complement their gifts and abilities
S. A healthy fear of the Lord
T. Willingness to trust and obey God in all ways
U. Vision, goals, and purposes that come from God
V. Endurance, perseverance & steadfastness
W. Willingness to let God work through suffering
X. Consistently be filled with Spirit so as to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control
Z. Willingness to put away all traces of anger, wrath, slander, malice, bitterness, brawling, rage, immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and ungodliness
AA. Clear priorities that are Biblically based
BB. Growth in social, mental, emotional, cultural, physical, political, moral, behavioral, educational, interpersonal, financial, and spiritual areas of life
CC. Articulative ability to speak the truth in love while growing up in all areas in Christ
DD. Clear communicational & persuasive skills
EE. Seeking the glory of God above all things
FF. Loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength and mind and their neighbor as themselves
GG. Consistently looking to the fields that are ripe for harvesting through evangelism, outreach ministries and planting and growing churches
HH. Ability to manage, organize and administrate
II. Ability to maintain the necessary services to keep the organization running smoothly in God’s will
JJ. Ability to trust in the Lord with all their heart so that they do not rely on their own insights
KK. Consistently build leaders who meet the qualifications of a Biblical overseer (I Tim. 3:1-6)
LL. Good connections & networking with people
MM. Decisions that are Biblically based and supported by the prayers of a plurality of Godly elders who are putting God’s interests first
NN. Focus on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that worries are minimized
OO. Wholesome conversations that are edifying
PP. A healthy supply of Godly counselors to assist in making, the wisest decisions with the direction of your church, its resources and personnel
QQ. Cognitive, affective, moral and presentational growth in their preaching and teaching
RR. A healthy balance of rich content, persuasive delivery and organization in their communications
SS. Progressive blessings as seen in the qualitative and quantitative growth of your organization
TT. Ability to wait on the Lord before acting
UU. An overcoming attitude through God’s power
VV. An ability to deal with problems in the Spirit’s power, wisdom and truthful sensitivity to people
WW. Tact, discretion and diplomacy in all matters
XX. Growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ
ZZ. A Godly family and personal lifestyle
AAA. A rich devotional life of abiding in Christ
BBB. Biblical ability to balance love and truth
CCC. Ability to overcome all evil temptations
DDD. Ability to overcome evil with good
EEE. Ability to complete the work God has called them to do personally and organizationally
Conclusion: Cause of Leanness and Unfruitfulness
The principle cause of my leanness and unfruitfulness is owing to an unaccountable backwardness to pray. I can write or read or converse or hear with a ready heart; but prayer is more spiritual and inward than any of these, and the more spiritual any duty is the more my carnal heart is apt to start from it. Prayer and patience and faith are never disappointed. I have long since learned that if ever I was to be a minister, faith and prayer must make me one. When I can find my heart in frame and liberty for prayer, everything else is comparatively easy.
Richard Newton, source unknown
