Day of Prayer

Daniel lived in a difficult time - his people, the Jewish people, were under the control of the Babylonians, and a despotic king was in control.  Daniel and his friends had taken a strong stand regarding the dietary laws of the nation, and Daniel had the attention of the king, who had a dream and 
was asking his intelligent people to not only interpret it but to tell the king what he had dreamed. So, enter Daniel, who was able, by God's help, to speak in accordance to the king's request. We can read in Daniel 2:
19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.

This is a breathtaking declaration about the sovereignty of God!  And, it can be motivational for us with regard to how we view our leaders. If you believe that God ordains human government and puts people in positions of power in order to accomplish His purposes, then we can trust Him with our lives and our prayers.  Now, whether or not leaders are good stewards of God's appointment or comply with His principles are other matters, but our call is to be faithful, good citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and the earth to which are called.

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A Scripture passage that is especially appropriate for today is found in 1st Timothy chapter 2 - it reads:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This is the day that has been set aside every four years to inaugurate a new President of the United States.  That event, consistent with a peaceful transfer of power, occurred in Washington, DC, and although there were threats of violence and increased security, in addition to social distancing rules as the result of the COVID pandemic, Joe Biden is now the President.  And, whether or not you voted for him or even do not believe that his election was legitimate, as perhaps a third of Americans do not, we can all still pray for him, his family, and his team.

And, there have been a number of prayer efforts that have been initiated for the new Administration and others serving in our government.  Focus on the Family sponsored an online prayer meeting this morning - the head of the ministry, Jim Daly, said: “I can be extremely concerned with current circumstances—even burdened...But we’re called to act—and trust. Prayer is a powerful way to do just that, so we’re encouraging Christians around the nation to join us in corporate prayer for some of the most foundational aspects of our culture.”

Franklin Graham wrote in a Decision Magazine article recently:

As we approach a transition in the leadership of our government in Washington, it is critically important for followers of Jesus Christ to pray for those who will be making decisions that impact the future of our nation. Just because we might not have voted for someone doesn’t mean that we get a pass to not pray for them. The Bible instructs us to pray for all of our leaders—“all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:2-3). We must not give up or waver.

Pray for President-elect Joe Biden, that he would not be swayed by the voices of self-interest, but that he would listen to the still small voice of Almighty God. Pray for him every day—that God would direct his decisions.

The Presidential Prayer Team states on its website: "Every 4 years, beginning on Inauguration Day, we commit to 100 days of prayer over the president’s administration. These first 100 days are often crucial as new Cabinet-level positions are appointed and confirmed, new policies are set into motion, and work alongside the new Congress begins."  It offers this prayer:

Heavenly Father, on this important day in the workings of our nation, we come to You with complete confidence, knowing that You are the magnificent and benevolent Controller of All Things. You have repeatedly assured us of the righteousness of Your plans, and we stand in wonder as we watch You working them out through people and events. We praise You, O Most High God. Amen.

The Team has also launched, BOLD, which stands for Beside Our Leaders Daily, predicated on this statement: "Starting on January 3rd with the swearing-in of the 117th United States Congress, we will highlight one elected freshman senator or representative each day. Pray with us for each of them as they take on their new responsibilities and fulfill their oaths of office."

But, we have to be clear-eyed and prayerful about what could be in store for us in the not-too-distant future. In a sermon covered by The Christian Post, First Baptist Dallas Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress "urged Christians to 'be prepared' for a possible 'restrain on our ability' to teach God’s word 'without consequence.'”

The article stated that Jeffress...

...said the storming of the Capitol was carried out by “despicable human beings” who need to be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”

“They weren’t doing God’s work; they were doing Satan’s work,” he said. “I denounce it with every fiber of my being.”

But the answer to such disarray isn’t limiting free speech, the pastor declared.

“Once you allow the government to start controlling speech, it’s not a very long trip to the persecution of the Church at all,” he stated. “We need to get ready for it. It is coming.”

While the Church must “push back” against persecution, the body of Christ can still be “hopeful” because “terrible times” are temporary and simply a prelude to the return of Christ, he said.

The article states:

The most important prayer a believer can pray, Jeffress said, is that government leaders “would leave us alone to practice our faith.”

That's consistent with 1st Timothy chapter 2. We recognize that our own prayers are powerful, and when Christians are praying according to the will of God, in the same direction, incredible things can take place.  We are called not to be afraid in this world, and when you consider that there is a move afoot to limit the voice of the Church, we have to dig deeply into our hearts and remember that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

We may not have an easy road ahead, but we have the power and presence of Almighty God with us to navigate difficult times.  And, ultimately, He has a purpose - He is at work, He is sovereign, and we remember that He has established human government and is the one who raises up and brings down those who are leadership.  We are not forgotten, and God is on the throne!