Responsibility to Pray for those ‘in Authority’

Though not active, as SFI, in politics we do acknowledge that we all have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, both Kings and Priest, and to submit to the laws of the land that are over us in each of respective countries of residence. We are told to pray fpr governmental leaders by Paul in 1 Tim 2:1-2

“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.”

As mentioned from 1 Peter above,  Peter instructed the saints to be ‘good and obedient’ citizens and to obey the laws and honor the king.
It is believed by many that when Peter wrote this towards the end of his life and ministry that Nero was actually the King (not exactly a good and benevolent ruler especially to those of what was then called ‘The Way!’). Furthermore, Scripture tells us to seek the peace of the city that we are led to live in (Jer 29:7).

However, it must be recognized that the style of ‘secular’ authority of Peter’s day (‘authoritative dictator’ – King or Emperor) was drastically different than the type of government most of us – (at least in the US – Constitutional Republic) in the Western civilization live under today! The citizens of the country have the power to choose who will have ‘authority over them’ on the national, state and local levels across a broad spectrum, of ‘authority’ including the education and control of our children!  And therefore, we believe there is a right and responsibility as citizens – (Peter was not a Roman citizen, nor were the vast majority of those he was addressing) – to be educated and aware as well as engage (vote). We believe that there is a responsibility of church elders to be part of this education process. Again we do not hold to the doctrine of ‘separation of church’ and state in the political/government arena as well!  Simply put if we as believers abdicate and do not take up this responsibility that we have been given, the Godless will (and have) and the ‘parable of the tares’ – “while men slept” (MATT 13) will (and has) come into play!

Still ultimately, as long as secular authorities do not ask us to disobey and disregard our true King, Jesus and our faith, or to disobey/ disregard what is clearly and redundantly stated in the Scripture (Bible), or take illegitimate authority over our bodies (our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit — 1 Cor 3:16, 17 — and no man or government or illegitimate ‘health authorities’ can mandate that we take any thing into “His temple” that may cause us harm or alter us in anyway!) or our families, or ask us to promote a nationalistic or ‘New World Order’ agenda that goes against our core values – we endeavor to be model citizens of our respective nations with the hope of persuading men in the process (1 Peter 3:16). It is the belief of SFI that the best way to serve our respective nations is to be obedient to the ruler of all nations, and walk in the light and LOVE ONE ANOTHER. We therefore hold fiercely to the teaching that Jesus taught us in John 13:35

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

We need to be reminded that when all is said and done THIS IS NOT OUR PERMANENT HOME. Furthermore, political uprisings or ‘religiously’ motivated campaigns, like the Crusades, are not only antagonistic to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ , they rarely bring about the desired results. In fact they usually lead to a worse state of affairs and has been the cause of many wars and much ill will among the nations and even after 1000’s of years! The cross of Christ is not a religion of conquest by the sword, Never has been, never will be! – (At least the natural/physical/fleshly one – Matt 26:52-54. The two swords that the Lord approved for them to pick up and said ‘that is enough’ in Luke 22:35-38 are the ‘word’ of God, the ‘logos‘ word of God of Heb 4:12 and the ‘rhema‘ word of God of Ephesians 6:17-18!)

Ultimately, SFI and those associated with it should never be a threat to legitimate secular authorities. In fact we make the point to secular authorities that in reality they would want all their subjects to be followers of Christ. True followers of Jesus do not rebel to overthrow legitimate (elected or ordained) secular leaders. They pay their taxes. They seek to obey the law. They make great citizens. If we seek to initiate change we do so through ways that are peaceful. Unless we are told to bow our knees to anyone else beside Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, or go against those commandments that He clearly told us to abide by, or to do things that could be harmful to our families or ourselves, we should be what any just government or ruler would desire as subjects.