Prayers That Change Nations

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and 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, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

In many of his psalms, David paints a picture of Christ reigning as King and Priest together with His believing people. “The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies” (Ps. 110:2). This is the situation in our world today. The enemies of Christ have not been totally subdued. They are still actively at work, opposing His rule and His kingdom. But Christ has been exalted and given authority over them all. He rules in the midst of His enemies by His strength and authority “out of Zion.” In the Scriptures, Zion is always the picture of the Church. We have been given authority to rule and reign in this life.

The apostle Peter confirms that when he says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). We Christians are called “a holy priesthood.” As priests, we offer up the spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship. But we have another function—that of a king. We are supposed to rule!

Practically, how do we rule as kings with Jesus Christ in the midst of the enemies? Through our prayers and intercession. As we pray in Jesus’ name, we are “sending forth” the rod of His strength and compelling the forces of evil to yield. Jesus Christ in turn is exalted and His kingdom advances. It is our responsibility to exercise the authority that is ours through His name, and in the face of all the forces of evil, to demonstrate that Christ is already “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

1 Timothy 2:1 tells us that the first duty of Christians meeting in fellowship is prayer. The house of God is the “house of prayer for all nations” (Is. 56:7). God is concerned with “all men” in “all nations” and He expects us to share His concern. Specifically, we are to pray for a good government in our nation because, for the gospel to be freely preached without restriction or persecution, having a benevolent civil authority that accords to that freedom is vital. Your prayers can change nations. Remember what the Lord says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chr. 7:14).

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