Three Minute Theology is a series of blog posts, each designed to offer a quick but meaningful look at a subject related to God and faith – something you can read in just a few minutes but reflect on for much longer. Think of this as a starting point, not the full journey. But don’t stop here. Think of this as a starting point, not the finish line. My hope is that these snapshots will spark your curiosity and challenge you to dig deeper, open your Bible, ask questions, and explore how these truths shape your everyday life. After all, the best theology isn’t just learned – it’s lived.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day when people all across the country are encouraged to do something we should be doing all the time: pray for our leaders.
Let’s be honest, though… this is tough. It’s a whole lot easier to post about our leaders than it is to pray for them. We can all agree that praying for our leaders isn’t always the thing we want to do. Especially when we don’t agree with them, don’t trust them, or don’t understand or align with their decisions.
But if we’re following Jesus, we don’t get a pass here. We can’t ignore this command: pray for them anyway.
Paul drops this on Timothy: “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
Why? Because authority, whether we like it or not, ultimately comes from God (Romans 13:1). He’s not wringing His hands in heaven when elections don’t go how we want. He’s still sovereign. Still in control.
And Jesus modeled this for us. He didn’t pray against the people in power, even when they were corrupt (which was basically all the time). He prayed for the will of His Father, and He reminded His followers that God’s kingdom isn’t advanced through politics, but through prayer, sacrifice, and love. When He stood before Pilate, Jesus said, “You would have no authority over me if it had not been given to you from above” (John 19:11).
And you know what? If you’re complaining about your leaders but you’re not praying for them, you’re in the wrong. Praying for our leaders, even the ones who frustrate us, is an act of faith. It’s trusting that God hears us, that our prayers move the needle, and that He can work through anyone (even the leaders we least expect).
So today, take 30 seconds and pray for your mayor, governor, senators and representatives and local officials at all levels of government, the President, your local school board, your principal or dean, your pastor (shoot, pray for me… I’ll take all the prayer I can get). Ask God to give him or her wisdom to lead well. Pray that he or she will turn to Jesus for salvation, hope, and help. Pray expectantly. You might be surprised what God does.
Bottom line: Prayer is not passive. It’s powerful. It shapes our hearts and it shapes our world. And Jesus absolutely wants us to use it, especially for the people with the most influence.
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