Why Pray For Politicians?

I heard somewhere that politicians rate the lowest in a questionnaire which ranked professions from most trusted to least. The public have valid reasons for despising these people. Since that's so, why should we Christians buck the trend and pray for such wicked leaders?

Some believers might not realize this but Christ told his followers to respect the position of Caesar and the Pharisees. When certain temple rulers tried to trap him with the question of paying taxes, Jesus asked to see a Roman coin. Then he asked who's face was on it. Matthew 22:21 (BBE) tells us, "They say to him, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.'"

Paul was of the same mind. He wrote in Romans 13:7 (BBE) that we should, "Give to all what is their right: taxes to him whose they are, payment to him whose right it is, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour is to be given."

Paul also told his spiritual son the same thing. He wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1 and 2 (BBE) that, "My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men; For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour."

Our quiet lives depend upon our respect for God-given governmental authority. As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:17 (BBE),we must, "Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king."

We also know that King David had several opportunities to kill King Saul, yet he refused them all. One example is written in 1 Samuel 24:6 and 7 (BBE) when he went into the very cave David and his men hid. "And David said to his men, 'Before the Lord, never let it be said that my hand was lifted up against my lord, the man of the Lord's selection, for the Lord's holy oil has been put on him.' So with these words David kept his servants back, and did not let them make an attack on Saul. And Saul got up and went on his way."

We may feel tempted to fantasize about putting certain evil leaders to death but that job is for God to do. Whenever I feel the temptation to wish some miscreant ruler dead, I beg God's forgiveness.

If our Lord hasn't returned by Thursday, I hope to upload a post about religions forbidding the enjoyment of meat.

Saturday Song: Iron Butterfly, "You Can't Win"

1968 certainly was a year of unrest in America. From assassinations to student and race riots, America experienced them all.

This particular song by Iron Butterfly shows the futility of fighting the police. Sadly, many anti-war protesters didn't heed the warning and got busted in more ways than one.

Listen to this psychedelic band's song here.

We Christians are instructed not to fight the powers that be. Paul gives the reason why in Romans 13:1 and 2 (BBE). "Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God. For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves."

Likewise, we read in Hebrews 13:17 (BBE) about the benefits of heeding those in authority. "Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you." By the way, this applies to those in leadership of our churches as well.

We're also admonished in 1 Peter 2:13 and 14 (BBE), "Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all, And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well."

And as we're reminded in 1 Timothy 2:1 and 2 (BBE), we ought to pray for our rulers. "My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men; For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour."

But what if we're commanded to do what God forbids or not to do what God commands? When the temple rulars forbad Peter and John from teaching , they said to them in Acts 4:19 and 20 (BBE), "But Peter and John in answer said to them, 'It is for you to say if it is right in the eyes of God to give attention to you more than to God: For it is not possible for us to keep from saying what we have seen and have knowledge of.'"
On Monday, I hope to publish about why God tests us.