First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
In the United States, as of today, January 20, 2021, we are embarking on a new Federal Administration with President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Bible-believing Christians must be fully aware that our government is under the full control of the political party committed to the destruction of our historically established Biblical Worldview. Core Biblical teachings and practices will be under attack as never before in this country.
So, now what? What are we to do?
Obey Scripture!
We are to pray for Kings and all who are in high authority (Presidents included here) with a key goal in mind that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way. I know many are loath even to acknowledge Joe Biden is the President of the United States, but any loathing will not change reality. So, let us submit to God’s word and pray accordingly. Remember, Paul wrote these words while all believers were under Caesar’s government, openly pagan as it could be. These prayers are also to include the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the ones responsible for any legislation. God is in control of the hearts and minds of people. He can direct them in ways they may not have contemplated.
If we fail to obey Jesus and not pray for those he instructs us to pray for, how can we complain if the government acts against God’s revealed will in Scripture? Disobedient believers will not usher in revival and harvest and do not glorify God.
Our prayers’ objective is a quality of life that will allow the free flow of the gospel in our nation. Ultimately, these prayers are about the Great Commission, disciple-making in the United States. So, our prayers are for God to direct the hearts, minds, and legislation of our government to honor God and provide for openness for the gospel.
This will probably be an uphill battle. We are the opposition to most of the agenda of the newly elected government. This government is tied to the cancel-culture and the new soft totalitarianism of the left that shuts down dissent from the party line and censures all dissidents. To speak Biblically is to be a dissident in this culture. Be brave and bold in Christ to speak and teach the truth while loving God and loving our neighbors.
As a whole, the church in the United States has been essentially prayerless. This must change. Disciple-making movements only happen in the wake of a strong prayer movement. If you have not been an active praying saint, resolve to become one. If you need instruction, you can click on the tags in the right-hand column in this blog for “prayer” and “fasting” and find several articles written on these subjects.
Seek out people who are already given to prayer. Ask to pray with them. Prayer is mostly learned by doing.
Seek out any prayer groups you can find, whether they are part of your church or not. Just be sure they are Biblical folks who are seeking the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. It is these prayer warriors who are the world changers. Most of them are never noticed and never become famous or wealthy because of their ministry in prayer. Often, the best of these warriors are less educated and less affluent, but they are far richer in spirit than those who don’t know the intimacy of prayer with Jesus and have degrees and big bank/stock accounts.
This is a call to prayer. Not just for the next week or two, but sustained, long-term, persevering prayer that can change the world. Many times, nations have been changed because of some obstinate, hard-headed prayer warriors who simply would not give up.
If you are located in North San Diego County, I invite you to join me and some of your friends (even if you don’t yet know they are your friends) in the North San Diego County (NSDC) Prayer Force. Be a part of a growing group of people who love Jesus and want to see a radical disciple-making movement take place in North San Diego County. The address is NSDCPrayerForce.com. When you get there, look in the top menu for the link to becoming a Prayer Missionary. Click there and fill in the information requested. You will be on the mailing list to receive encouragement in prayer, announcements of prayer gatherings, articles to teach and encourage prayer. The goal is to mobilize 1,000 prayer missionaries in NSDC.
Our mission has not changed. We are still to go into all the world and preach the gospel, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all things Jesus taught us.
Let us keep our heads up high; He is the lifter of our heads. Go forward with the commission Jesus has given us and look for victories as people who are now bound will find liberty in Christ.
