by Tim Berlin
In a world full of self sufficiency and self exaltation, man sees very little reason to pray. Praying has been limited to a routine prayer over food, a memorized speech before bed, or a plea for mercy or healing in desperate times.
Unfortunately, this problem is not just in the masses, but in the pulpits. Many pastors or clergy, in general, have admitted to the same weakness in their own lives. They may have mastered the art of public praying, yet make very little time for private supplication for their own people or the needs in the world. So the question begs to be asked, “Why are we in this mess in America?” Maybe it is because of the lack of prayers being offered.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the Bible says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all me to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Paul says to Timothy, under inspiration, that he exhorts people to pray for all people. Then he includes the fact that we should pray for everyone in authority. Is it possible that the reason so many of our freedoms in America are being taken away is because we are not praying for those in authority? Is our lack of prayer part of the reason sin and wickedness is so rampant? Is our laziness in praying the reason there is such apathy toward God and toward His Word?
Paul says that there are two main reasons for praying for those in authority. First, so that we, as Christians, can lead a quiet and peaceable life. In America, we have spoiled a generation that thinks the government is the answer to all their problems.
God makes it very clear that God’s Word has the answer to all man’s problems. How did the shift happen from God to government? Easy! Man stopped praying to God, and his best solution was to try to control government.
The problem is, the more power government has been given, the more control they have grabbed. Now, government is out of control grabbing more and more power from the private sector. When will America wake up and realize they need to pray in order for government to get back out of our lives?
By the way, it is easier to run to government, because God and His Word will require personal responsibility. Did not our forefathers run from England because of too much government control? Did they not run to America so that they could have religious freedom?
Now the government has made it illegal for us to pray in public schools, to offer supplication, prayers, intercessions or thanksgiving for all men. The ACLU will file lawsuits against anyone following the Word of God! The ACLU wanted to get “In God We Trust” off our coins and license plates. God says in order to lead a quiet and peaceable life, we must trust His way by praying for those in authority. Americans better learn to run to God and His Word rather than to the government.
Secondly, Christians must pray for all men, especially those in authority so that they can live in all godliness and honesty. We must pray that our leaders will do right and allow Christians to be Christ-like. We must pray that our freedoms continue and that we are not forced into making decisions to obey God or obey the government.
When the government begins to outlaw things that God clearly commands, Christians are put in tremendous turmoil. Life becomes loud, chaotic, worldly and full of deceit.
Does this sound like America? It is clear that Americans must get back to praying!
• Tim Berlin is the minister at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Logansport.
