Rationale
God calls us to intercede for the people around us. His justice and mercy desires not the death of a sinner. How wide does that intercession go? Why should we pray for issues in our world? Because God has made it all and loves all of it. The Lord says we should pray: your will be done on earth as in heaven - not a government's will or an influencer's or a pressure group's, but God's will in all things - because that affects people, loved, made in His image.
God is Sovereign
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above...”
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
To the Athenians: The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God has an opinion about everything! RT Kendall
He has given us agency
love your neighbour!
Also, seek the peace and prosperity [shalom] 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.”
Shouldn't we be standing in the gap for our land in the light of God’s judgement on sin, through the promises of Jesus for redemption?
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
John Stott recognised God's love for his world: Go through life with a newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other and the need to argue for and apply God's ways to his world.
Yes our governments are ungodly but Paul, a man who often fell foul of the authorities said: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
We are to work to help our leaders do what is right, to disinfect: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven
And we need to follow Jesus' way of doing it, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Decliners
Church leaders sometimes say they just want to preach the gospel - but the Good News is supposed to impact the lives of ordinary people who need to know how to face the challenges from the Spirit of the World
Others feel the church will be split, or its reputation suffer, if they comment on things that are controversial - but they are only controversial because the World is off track, thus Jesus was controversial. We need to point that out with the Biblical backing, not go along with it!
Actually, engaging the World with reality and grace is a positive for evangelism as seekers can see that God is sovereign and takes seriously what happens on earth, and has a means of dealing with it - in their lives and in the lives of everyone else.
People (not just Christians) are increasing pointing out that the loss of Christian culture is hugely detrimental to personal lives and to shared prosperity, so the need for us to seek God's wisdom and his mercy is ever more urgent. If not us then who?
Finally: Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won’t take an interest in you Pericles, Athenian leader
See details page for prayer items.
For the UK election see
- https://christianconcern.com/action/election-prayer-guide-2024/
- https://www.engage24.org.uk/
- https://www.christian.org.uk/general-election-2024/
