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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “The leader and the led” A leader is a person who rules, guides or inspires others. The led, on the other hand, is a follower or a person who accepts the guidance and leadership of the leader. We shall reflect on the fact that Christians have a spiritual duty to pray for both the leader and the led so that the nation will succeed.

Beloved in the Lord, the success of a nation does not only depend on the efforts of the leader and the led, but also requires prayer for God’s constant divine intervention. It is our duty as believers to pray for our nation and its citizens daily, to remember our leaders, and those who are led. Paul instructs us through his epistle to Timothy when he wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3) Beloved in the Lord, why must we pray for the nation, especially for our leaders? We must pray for our leaders because “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2), Bad leadership leads to injustice, chaos and suffering while good leadership leads to a peaceful and progressive atmosphere where we can worship God and do His will without intimidation and persecution. This is what Paul meant when he wrote “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:2) It does not matter who the leader is, he or she may be Muslim or Pagan or may not even believe in God, we have the duty to pray for his or her government to succeed. When the government or leaders succeed, we all succeed. We need to pray for our leaders and ourselves because “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalms 127:1). Again, we must pray for leaders and ourselves, “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) Beloved in the Lord, prayer is our spiritual contribution to the development and stability of the nation even as we pay our taxes and engage in other productive activities to support our leaders or the government.

In summary, we have discovered that believers are called upon to constantly pray for all people. Christians have a spiritual duty to pray for both the leader and the led so that the nation will succeed. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to pray for all people. We pray for our leaders to succeed in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Amen.