Pray for government

We are commanded to pray for our leaders. What if I don't like what they do? Pray for them anyway.

1. Pray for our Government
Romans 13:1-2
1 Peter 2:17
1 Timothy 2:1-2

2. 1 – A history lesson

The work of Paul and the other Apostles was
during the reign of Nero.

Nero was Roman emperor from 54 – 68.

He was an open homosexual.

He was married to several men.

He was married to a young boy (about 17-18).

He covered Christians in rags and tar and set
them on fire to light his garden at night.

3. 1 – A history lesson

Nero had many Christians arrested and thrown
into the arena to be ripped apart by starving
lions.

He instituted an official, bloody, empire-wide
persecution of Christians that lasted 3.5 years.

Religious people (pagans and Jews) helped
him enforce it. Christians were in danger and
could trust no one.

Now let's put the Bible in its context.

4. 2 – New Testament

Romans 13:1-2 1 Let every soul be
subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and
the authorities that exist are appointed by
God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the
authority resists the ordinance of God, and
those who resist will bring judgment on
themselves.

Written 56-58 – During the reign of Nero.

5. 2 – New Testament

1 Peter 2:13-17 13 Therefore submit yourselves
to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake,
whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to
governors, as to those who are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those
who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by
doing good you may put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men-- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as
a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honor the king.

Written 67-68 – During the reign of Nero.

6. 2 – New Testament

1 Timothy 2:1-2 1 Therefore I exhort first of all
that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for
kings and all who are in authority, that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence. 3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4
who desires all men to be saved and to come to
the knowledge of the truth.

Written 62-66 – During the reign of Nero.

7. 3 – Pray for Whom?

All that are in authority

President, Senators, Representatives, military, all in
a position of power and decision making, all who
work for the federal government

Governor, state legislators, police, all who work for
the state

County and city mayors, councils, school boards,
police, all who work for any city or county agency

8. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would become Christians. God
wants all men to be saved, including Nero.

9. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would become Christians. God
wants all men to be saved, including Nero.

Pray that they would realize their need to
depend on God for knowledge, wisdom and for
the courage to do what is right.

10. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would become Christians. God
wants all men to be saved, including Nero.

Pray that they would realize their need to
depend on God for knowledge, wisdom and for
the courage to do what is right.

Pray that they would reject any counsel that
violates righteousness and resist all pressure to
violate God's moral code.

11. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would become Christians. God
wants all men to be saved, including Nero.

Pray that they would realize their need to
depend on God for knowledge, wisdom and for
the courage to do what is right.

Pray that they would reject any counsel that
violates righteousness and resist all pressure to
violate God's moral code.

Pray that they would rely upon prayer and the
Word of God.

12. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would bring dignity, honor,
trustworthiness and integrity to the office that
they hold.

13. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would bring dignity, honor,
trustworthiness and integrity to the office that
they hold.

Pray that they would remember to be good
examples in their conduct to the people that
they were elected to serve.

14. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would bring dignity, honor,
trustworthiness and integrity to the office that
they hold.

Pray that they would remember to be good
examples in their conduct to the people that
they were elected to serve.

Pray that they would be reminded daily that
they are accountable to Almighty God for the
decisions that they make.

15. 4 – Pray for What?

Pray that they would bring dignity, honor,
trustworthiness and integrity to the office that
they hold.

Pray that they would remember to be good
examples in their conduct to the people that
they were elected to serve.

Pray that they would be reminded daily that
they are accountable to Almighty God for the
decisions that they make.

Give thanks for all who are in authority.

16. 5 – And we complain?

We have had it good for a long time. Name one
Christian in America who has been killed for his
faith.

What the Supreme Court did was not good. It is
against what the Bible teaches.

Am I supposed to thank God for a corrupt
government with immoral leaders? Yes.

Am I supposed to pray for these evil men? Yes.

17. 5 – And we complain?

If you want the direction of this country to
change:

We must begin with ourselves.

We must change people, thinking, minds, hearts.

Change of mind and heart comes – one
person, one soul at a time.

The power to change is not in the constitution.
It is in the power of the gospel. (Romans 1:16)