Encouragement

RESPECT AND PRAY FOR LEADERS

by Apostle Steve Adonai 
10/21/20
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RESPECT AND PRAY FOR LEADERS.
"I'm sorry, brothers. I didn't realize he was the high priest," Paul replied, "for the Scriptures say, 'Do not speak evil (abusively) of anyone who rules over you.'" Acts 23:5.

There's no scripture in the New Testament that encourages us Christians to rebel against, oppose, criticize, castigate, attack our leaders and tell them what to do. It says to RESPECT THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM, PRAY FOR THEM, PRAY FOR THEM, even when we have to obey God and disobey them at the risk of our lives.

1 Timothy 2.2,3.
Pray this way for kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior,

God is saying that praying FOR (and not against) leaders is more important and effective in achieving peace, justice, progress and prosperity, etc, than protests, rebellion, looting, vandalism, terrorism and wars. Now, it's going to take a lot of self control, Christlike character and maturity to do it God's way instead of the way of the world and the flesh. Our flesh wants to claim it's right, attack and fight for it and strike back, especially when we're under oppression and persecution and our people are being killed and maimed! But how did the early Church handle one of a series of persecutions, killings and injustices?

Acts 12.1-3,5.
About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the Church.
He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter during the Passover celebration But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

We have the right to be angry and disgusted by racism, injustice, immorality, poverty, sickness, sin, evil and wickedness, but we must be spiritually enlightened and mature enough to identify and deal with the root cause in order to effect lasting solutions in God's way.
First, humans, things and circumstances are not our PRIMARY and ULTIMATE enemies, but the Devil, demons and his organized kingdom are.

Ephesians 6:12.
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

A Christian who is spiritually mature, Christlike and well knowledgeable of God's Word will strive to love everyone and deal with the Devil and his gang violently and mercilessly, because he's the thief, liar, deceiver, killer, and destroyer. If we can be totally focused to identify, attack and defeat him, there will be peace and order, good health, unity and love, joy, happiness and blessings in our lives, families, cities and nations. That's what God's saying. Get angry at the devil and love people. God is love.

The moment we have even an option of something we can do about a situation, that takes even 1% of our trust away from God and His Word, our prayers will lose much of their power and potency, shutting off God's intervention and power.

Acts 12:5 says the CHURCH PRAYED VERY EARNESTLY FOR PETER! The Church had no other options, but ABSOLUTELY focused on God's ABILITY alone. The same with the Israelites before crossing the Red Sea. No strings to pull, no one to bribe and lobby, no confidence in protests, rioting or looting, no weapons to go to war, no attorney to plead their case. Without God's hand, doom was imminent, but God is good and far more than enough to do ALL THINGS. And so, they cried to God with all their souls, spirit and bodies. That's good desperation! And sure enough, God answered. An angel delivered Peter out of the well fortified prison and God made a dry path across the Red Sea for ONLY the Israelites to cross over. He will do the same for us today. Jehovah is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Hallelujah!