When I go to churches and speak on politics, the question is inevitably raised, “How can I be more politically involved?” Often, I will answer this question by saying the most political thing you can do is speak to the King of kings. 

The most powerful political deed we can do is not by voting, not by advocating for a candidate, not by installing Supreme Court justices, and not even by joining a campaign. The most powerful political action we can do is pray. Praying is political because you are asking the true King to act since He is the ultimate Sovereign. In prayer you enter the highest court in the universe and present your requests before your loving Ruler.  

Yet, the question still arises, what are we to pray during an election? If you were going to meet a dignitary and speak to him/her, you would likely reflect on what you wanted to speak to them about. In the same way, we should consider what we are to pray before the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. Three ways of praying for our governing authorities are identified for us in the Scriptures.  

The Salvation of our Leaders 

First, we ought to pray for the salvation of our leaders. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he told him that the church in Ephesus ought to pray and intercede for all people. This includes “kings and kings and all those who are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:1–2). While the specific content of the prayer will be discussed more in the next point, the context of this prayer is that they ought to pray for the salvation of their leaders.  

A few verses later Paul said it is good to pray because God desires all people to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4) and earlier the false teaching in Ephesus seemed to concern debates about genealogies, probably alluding to who would be saved (1 Tim. 1:4). In light of the false teaching, Paul instructed Timothy that they ought to pray for all people to be saved, and that includes kings and those in high positions. 

Those in Ephesus may have been struggling to do this because we know that often the authorities would persecute the churches Paul planted. This even happened in Ephesus. Paul therefore instructed the church at Ephesus to pray for their rulers, even those who might be against them. 

In the same way, we ought to pray for our rulers, even if they are “against us,” that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The most important prayer for all people is their salvation, and that reality applies to our rulers. Our first prayer during the election season should be, “Lord, would you draw the leaders’ hearts to you.” 

The Spread of the Gospel 

Second, we ought to pray that the leaders would lead in such a way that would allow the gospel to spread unhindered. When Paul told Timothy to pray for kings and all who are in high positions, he didn’t simply tell him to pray for their salvation but “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2). The prayer is that the government would do its job so that the church can do her job.  

The job of the government is to protect life and reward those who do good and to punish those who do what is evil. They are to help organize society so there is justice and equity. The church’s job is to make disciples of all nations by preaching, teaching, and rightly administering the ordinances. Paul’s request before the Father was that the government would stay out of the church’s way so that Christians can live godly lives. Throughout history, there have been many governments that were opposed to Christians and Christianity. Paul commanded us to pray for our governing authorities in such a way that will protect the church. We ought to pray during any election that the government would allow us to leave peaceful and quiet lives. 

Wisdom for our Leaders 

Third, we ought to pray that the Lord would give our leaders wisdom. Proverbs 21:1 says, “A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.” This verse reminds us the Lord is not only sovereign over which leader is chosen; He is also sovereign over their hearts. In light of this, we ought to plead with the Lord to give our leaders wisdom as they make the myriads of decisions they are called to each day. Doing so shows our support of the government and also displays our love for others—because a wise leader will be a blessing to everyone.  

If the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, then it is worth asking the question: Will our social media post, an argument with a friend, or a vote for this or that candidate have a greater impact than prayer? Jesus sits in the throne room of the universe. He is the Alpha and Omega, and He knows tomorrow as well as He knows today. To not present our requests before Him is to neglect the most politically fruitful action we can take. Prayer is the most political thing we can do this and every election season. 

For more from Patrick Schreiner, check out his book, Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World.

ABOUT PATRICK SCHREINER

Patrick Schreiner (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of Political Gospel, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross; Matthew: Disciple and Scribe; The Ascension of Christ; The Visual Word; and The Mission of the Triune God. He lives with his wife and four kids in Kansas City, where they enjoy the Midwest. He is a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings and has been waiting his whole life for their first Super Bowl win. 

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