I Timothy 2:1-4 “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 Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
For nearly seven years, the members of GraceWay Baptist Church (https://gracewaydc.com/) have met on the steps of the Supreme Court on Saturday evenings to pray for our nation and our leaders. And, while at face-value there is nothing particularly powerful about prayers at such a location, this concept does provide a potent example of the presence of the Lord that pervades all areas and institutions of our society. And, while a Saturday evening prayer time at the center of the power structures in Washington, DC doesn’t exactly translate into standing before kings, it does provide an opportunity to call down God’s influence on the buildings where major decisions are made by our leaders that impact the entire planet and that disproportionately influence our well-being.
Prayer at the major institutions of our society also provides both a personal and a public reminder that we refuse to cede any ground to the adversary. In fact, just the opposite – we are claiming God’s promises that He can turn the heart of the king whithersoever He will. And such prayer provides an opportunity to sprinkle salt in places that need savour and shine light in places that need illumination. It isn’t an empty pharisaical show, but is instead a full testimony that God’s power is everywhere and God’s people are unbowed to the cultural deities that clamor for our affection.
PLEASE MAKE TIME TO PRAY AT INSTITUTIONS IN YOUR IMMEDIATE AREA THAT HAVE AN OVERSIZED INFLUENCE ON OUR ABILITY TO LIVE QUIET AND PEACEABLE LIVES. Your prayer in such areas will give you an ability to stand before kings by calling upon the King of kings and Lord of lords.
ADMIN: Please see these following links for previous posts about standing before kings:
https://prayatlunch.us/standing-before-kings/
https://prayatlunch.us/standing-before-kings-ii/