Posted on by Austin

With so much division and controversy today we must remember what we are called to as Christians.

It is our responsibility to earnestly pray (on their behalf) for our leaders. All of our leaders. Agreement isn’t necessary. Approval isn’t necessary. Liking a person isn’t necessary.

Respect, honor, and love are necessary.

I don’t approve of every leaders choices, I don’t like when their choices directly effect me in ways I don’t like, but I do realize that I have a multi-faceted responsibility. I am called to obey, not slander. I have to pray, not belittle. I have to be active in the democratic process, not complain about the hopelessness of our situation.

When we pray, pray correctly. Pray for wisdom. Pray for discernment. Pray for peace.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true” remove_hidden_urls=”true”]When we speak, speak in life. Speak hope. Speak love.[/tweetthis]

There will be no change lest first we see change in our own hearts – bent knees in intercession to the Lord of Heaven and Earth.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
(‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1-7‬ ESV)

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭13-17‬ ESV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1-4‬ ESV)

And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
(‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ NLT)

2 Thoughts to “Speak in life. Speak hope. Speak love.”

    1. Honestly, in all truth, in light of today’s ruling – nothing has changed for Christians…

      I love reading Luke 10,
      These were his [Jesus] instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭2‬ NLT)

      We don’t always have the ability to reach everyone. I will most likely not talk to the President, and if I do I doubt he would receive advice, council, or spiritual witness from me. But there is someone in his life that has the pocket-change to speak into his life. This is true of everyone.

      Pray for revival which is always first birthed out of repentance in the church.

      Pray
      For reconciliation – Ephesians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Revelations 21:3-4

      For peace – Deuteronomy 31:6, John 14:27, Romans 15:13

      For comfort – Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalms 103:2-6

      For healing – 1 Corinthians 13:7, Romans 5:1-2

      For strength – Psalms 29:11, Proverbs 18:10, John 14:15-18

      For the love of our Heavenly Father to abound – 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalms 86:15, 1 Peter 5:6-7

      For wisdom in our justice system – 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 13:1, Jeremiah 29:7

      For wisdom as a family – Philippians 3:13-14, Proverbs 4:20-22, Proverbs 11:14, James 1:5-6, John 16:12-15

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