“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling” - Psalms 2:10-11 (NIV).
The renowned Bible teacher, Rev John Stott (1921- 2011), once wrote, that a Christian should “read the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” I once run into him at Entebbe airport on his way to Ssese Islands for bird sighting which was a pastime hobby. He was a man you could easily spend the whole day chatting about anything. If he were still around I suppose he might edit his statement as, “with access to digital news on his fingertips” as there is a remarkable decline in newspaper readership. But the point which Stott was making is that for us to pray effectively then we need to be abreast of current events.
Uganda is one country that has just gone through Presidential elections and the election of leaders at parliamentary and local levels. The largely new crop of leaders have all come with their agenda. It is important that we understand it and how it can impact the Gospel. Since, scripture calls upon us to respect those in authority ( Romans 13), and we are tasked to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2), better we should know a bit about these people.
We need to pray that God blesses those He has put in authority with His wisdom, lest they drive the people they lead into desperateness which can breed all sorts of evil. We must pray not to suffer under corrupt rulers who are only about themselves and oppress the poor with the power they have!
Outside Uganda we know that the number one economy in the world, US, has just changed leadership. Under the leadership of her 45th President, Mr. Donald J Trump, his administration was quite unapologetic in identifying with many Christian causes. The Trump administration easily supported Israel to move her capital to Jerusalem to advocating light matters where Christians were being sidelined for recognizing Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ! Will his successor, Mr. Joe Biden, now repeal these initiatives by acquiescing to the demands of his all-inclusive administration with some there violently opposed to the Gospel?
Christians must indeed pray that we don’t see a roll back of some of the good things we saw the Trump administration initiate but rather consolidate those gains.
At the end of the day we must be alert to the seasons and not neglect the call to pray for those in authority.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for gift of choosing my leaders through elections and I pray for those whom you have willed to govern that you bless them with wisdom, that they may use the power you have given them to lead your people into prosperity and a fear of the Almighty God.
