Prayer Day 5 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

 

Hope you’re having a good Friday morning, it’s lovely here in Oklahoma, after a bit of rain, and the fires that have been raging around us are almost contained, and praise God we are expecting more rain this weekend.  Many have been praying for rain and the cessation of all the fire danger around us, but more importantly than that, we need to be praying for the spiritual rain that will quench the spiritual drought about us.  In that vein we’ll look at some things about prayer today; instructions about seeking God’s face and interceding for those around us!  All of those around us, and let me just add when we are praying for the government entities in our culture (no matter where you may live) we are to pray in humble dependence upon our Father God, our precious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways, and that we will be a genuine reflection of Jesus.  That means that we are ever to be “speaking the truth in love” (See Ephesians 4:15) not disrespect!  And let me simply add that the recipients of the passage below were under unfriendly, often hostile, rulers.  Keep that in mind as you are tempted to complain instead of praying and depending on Jesus! (And I’m not saying we can’t be involved in politics, but that we are called to be those who bridge the gap not those who stir it up!  Remembering that sometimes just speaking the truth in love will stir some things up!). Heed God’s Word!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God:

 the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

not only for wrath,

but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also:

for they are God’s ministers,

 attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

What an amazing picture of God’s will for our responses to those in authority.  I’m not condoning evil that goes on in high places, but when we feel led to participate in “civil disobedience”, we better be sure we are doing so with a clear conscience toward God, and for good cause; not for spite, pride or any other fleshly reason!  The passage about prayer that I want us to look at today isn’t actually a prayer, but instruction on how we are to pray in regard to circumstances, culture and political issues.  (Keeping in mind what Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18, that our battles aren’t against “flesh and blood” but against unseen spiritual forces.  And another helpful passage in this regard is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5!)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God,

and one mediator

between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,

and an apostle,

 (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)

a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”  1 Timothy 2:1-8

And let me close by saying that while we are called to pray for others, especially those in authority, it doesn’t mean that we are to condone or promote evil and unbiblical practices, and that’s enough said! (Remember Jesus’ instructions that we saw earlier this week…” Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done…!)

Amen and Amen!!!