high positions

Pray the News – January 7^th, 2024

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NRSV) – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.”

There are 195 countries in the world today. Time doesn’t allow us today to pray for every world leader in a high position, but today we are going to focus prayer on eight countries or unions which together make up over 50% of the global GDP and which have elections coming up during 2024. Let’s pray!

Lord God, we acknowledge that according to your word, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). We pray for each leader in these nations, so that all of the people would be able to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and dignity. Would you turn the hearts of each leader and all of the people towards you, that you would establish righteousness and justice and that your kingdom shalom would come to individuals, families, communities, and nations.

God, may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. We know that you can bring about the righteousness and justice that you desire, and we trust you and submit to you to do this however you choose. And so we lift up to you these specific elections: in Taiwan on January 13^th, in Indonesia on February 14^th, in Russia on March 17^th, in India in April, in South Africa, in the United Kingdom, in the European Union on June 6^th, and in the United States on November 5^th.

We hold each of these nations in the light of your presence, God, and cry out to you for each of the leaders who now or shortly will occupy high positions as a result of upcoming elections. We do not presume to know more than we do, we do not pretend to know who your first and best choices are, but we rest in you and trust in you, confident that you are always doing a good, holy, and beautiful work in each person. We ask you specifically for these things for each leader and each candidate:

• That they would be a follower of Christ Jesus
• Fear of God
• Wisdom
• Love
• Knowledge
• Understanding
• Compassion
• Mercy
• Peace
• God’s will
• Strength
• Perseverance
• Humility
• Honesty
• Protection
• Courage
• Unity
• Fruitfulness
• Flourishing
• Blessing

Kingdom of God, come! We pray all these things in the name of Christ Jesus and for the greater glory of God and the good of all people.