Most nations are very politically divided these days. America is so divided that in many cases the division has turned into hate. Things have deteriorated to the point where it seems like everything has gotten so political that passions can get stirred up at the drop of a hat!
While I do have my own personal political opinions, I do not put my trust in politics. There are well meaning people on both sides of the isle and there are people with non-biblical viewpoints on both sides of the isle.
If you look back to the time when Paul wrote this passage to Timothy, the Roman Empire ruled with an iron fist. Christianity was illegal and the Romans politicians and leaders were an ungodly, polytheistic, cruel, ungodly bunch. Considering that, it amazes me that Paul and the church leadership did not criticize the government, the politics or the politicians. In fact, there is no scriptural evidence that the early church engaged in any political ventures at all.
Now, I am not implying that political engagement is in any way wrong to those that are called to do so, but my point is that the early church clearly did not put their trust in political solutions, but rather in the preaching of the gospel to every creature.
Paul’s instruction to the church was not political engagement, but rather intercession and prayer for all political leaders in spite of their political affiliation! Instead of getting caught up in a critical spirit fueled by hate, Paul encourages believers to pray fervently and to stand in the gap for political leaders. “Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests as you intercede with intense passion. And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives”.
In Hawaii, almost every political leader is a democrat, and as you know, our President is republican and the house and senate are republican majority. I pray for every one of them passionately and with a heart of love regardless of their political affiliation and regardless of whether I agree with them or not. I have honored and prayed for every president in my lifetime, from President John F Kennedy to President Donald Trump and I have not been critical towards one of them. (Prayer is so much more powerful than criticism).
I pray for every leader and every politician to have an encounter with the Holy Spirit, for them to be saved and for them to prosper and be in health, even as their soul prospers. I pray for them to be influenced by godly people and for them to lead in wisdom. I thank God that according to the Word, that the heart of the king is in the hands of the Lord and I speak blessings upon them. I pray in tongues for them and I stand in the gap and intercede for them as the Spirit leads.
My thoughts, my prayers and my words concerning them are focused on whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 AMP)
If every believer would do this, I believe that there would be a major turnaround. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem, in Jesus Name!
For those who are called to be politically active and politically engaged, know that I am praying for you and that I am believing for the Lord to do a great work through you!
