A recent poll found that 57% of Americans are fed up with Congress and would like to "throw the whole bunch out" and start over again.  

Political issues are hot topics right now and many Americans are finding their anger rising toward the boiling point.   Recently, an Arizona minister proclaimed, from the pulpit, that he was actively praying for the death of the President!  He claimed that this was an act of "spiritual warfare" in response to the President's stand on abortion.  

That certainly seems extreme, but it begs the question, "How should Christians behave in today’s volatile political climate?"  Thankfully, we are not left to ponder the question in a vacuum: the Bible gives us clear direction.    

Believers in the first century lived under a government (Rome) that was blatantly pagan.  Additionally, Christians sometimes found themselves the victims of government-led persecution.   

The inspired writers of the New Testament did not respond with a call to violence.  Instead, they encouraged Christians to pray.  Take a look at Paul's words from I Timothy 2:1-6:  

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—

²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

³This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.    

A couple of points need to be stressed.  We are to pray for our leaders:

1)   So that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

2)   Because God wants ALL people (even politicians!) to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.  

Some would argue that prayer isn't much of a weapon in today's world.  Scripture would disagree.  A search of the Bible reveals that prayer is really the ONLY weapon God has put into His followers' hands.   We place our requests before Him and urge Him to act.   

I am not suggesting that Christians should be totally silent when politicians push wrong, even evil, ideas.   And we certainly should be active participants at the voting booth.  

But ask yourself, "When was the last time that I prayed for my leaders?"   If it has been too long, start now!  

See you soon!

Bill