As newly elected leaders begin their terms of service this month, it’s a good time to remember that God calls us to faithfully pray for our government officials. This includes ones we didn’t vote for. If you’re like me, you may appreciate a list. Here are 21 scriptural ways we ought to pray:
1. Pray for their openness to the Gospel of Jesus (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
2. Pray God would give them wisdom and counsel (James 1:5; Proverbs 24:5–6)
3. Pray they will love and obey God’s Word (Deuteronomy 17:18–20; Joshua 1:7–9)
4. Pray that they will resist foolish counsel (1 Kings 12:8–14; Proverbs 13:20; 25:5)
5. Pray for safety for them and their families (Deuteronomy 17:17; 1 Kings 11:1–6)
6. Pray they would truly defend the vulnerable (Psalm 72:4–5, 12–14)
7. Pray that they would suppress wickedness (Proverbs 20:26, 28)
8. Pray their leadership would promote diligence (Proverbs 22:28)
9. Pray for the just punishment of evildoers (Romans 13:1–4)
10. Pray that leaders would faithfully reward good (Romans 13:2–3)
11. Pray God would keep them from all evil (Proverbs 16:12)
12. Pray they would humble themselves (Proverbs 16:5; 18–19)
13. Pray against the contagion of wickedness (Proverbs 25:5)
14. Pray they will lead the way in national repentance (Jonah 3:1–10)
15. Pray that our leaders would judge righteously (Psalm 72:1–3)
16. Pray they will defend life (Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 44:24; Proverbs 24:11)
17. Pray against corruption and greed (Deuteronomy 17:16–17; 1 Timothy 6:10)
18. Pray for God to protect them from enemies (2 Kings 11)
19. Pray for courageously truthful advisors (Daniel 3:8–30; Acts 4)
20. Pray for the freedom to live God-honoring lives (1 Timothy 2:1–3)
21. Pray for a submissive heart toward our leaders (1 Peter 2:13–17; Titus 3:1–2)
What an honor it is to lift up our leaders in prayer. Let’s get on our knees, dear church! For we are loved, more than we know.
