Pray for your Leaders

A few months ago, I read I Tim. 2:2 and it felt like the first time I was reading it. At times, when we are asked to pray for our leaders, there’s a reluctance because of how badly they’ve failed us. But when my pastor said we should thank God our leaders have not made decisions that have led us to war, I gained a fresh perspective. I Tim. 2:2 (NLT) says: ”Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.“

While reading my Walk through the Bible for April 18, in I Chr. 21, David decided to take a census even when his commander advised him not to. This singular decision led to the death of 70,000 people (I Chr. 21:14). Another example is Jeroboam who caused Israel to sin (I Kings 12:25-33). By his singular decision, the entire nation was turned away from God. Not one of the 18 Kings that came after him was godly. Resulting in their captivity many years later (II Kings 17:21-23). The decision of one man! Reading through the records of the Kings of Israel and Judah, the importance of praying for our leaders is one of the key lessons.

Time and again, we’ve seen people lose their lives or means of livelihood because of a single decision their leaders took. Remember, leaders are not just limited to politics, they extend to all spheres of our lives. Even your line manager is a leader; as you pray for your CEO, pray for your line manager. Why not take today to pray for your leaders? Why? So you may live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. You don’t have to like them, but I recommend that you pray for them!

 

P.S. Back in January, I was led to write about this same topic. If God is bringing it up again, He must really want us to pray for our leaders!

 Photo cred: Daily Grace, Today's Godly Reminder

The Kingdom in You

 

We are now in the second quarter of 2024. How has it been so far? Has the year started the way you hoped? If not, don’t take your eyes off God. He will still come through for you, have faith, and ask Him for help (Jer. 1:12, Heb.4:16). In my church, the theme for April is “Unleash your potential”, and the anchor text is Phil. 4:13. May your potential be unleashed in Jesus' name.

The beauty of the Bible is that we can never finish reading it. Unlike novels or historical books that give no new knowledge, each time we read the Bible, there is always some new knowledge or revelation. During our Thanksgiving service, my pastor read the parable of the mustard seed, Mark 4:30 – 32 (NLT):

³⁰ Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, ³² but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

As it was read, it got me thinking, about how the Kingdom of God can be illustrated as a mustard seed. I even googled a mustard seed as I wanted to visualize the illustration. The answer came to me as my pastor went on to quote Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV); in this verse, Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is within each one of us. We are all walking kingdoms!

Now the parable of the mustard seed made sense to me. From my detailed research (I googled it lol), the mustard seed plant can grow up to 15 feet high. When you see a seed that’s ~2mm in size, would you expect it to have that sort of potential in it? That is what is in each of us. A tiny seed that can grow into a large plant. But for it to grow into that large plant, it needs to have the right conditions. So it is with the Kingdom in each of us. For the Kingdom to grow, we have to cultivate it in the right conditions. Here are some pointers for the right conditions: 

• Live a life of constant fellowship with God. God desires a relationship with us, not a transaction (John 15:4-6).
• Stay yoked to God, and submit to His will and supremacy (Matt. 11:28 – 30, Prov. 19:21).
• Live a life of faith (Heb. 11:6).

We also have a duty, like the mustard seed that grows long branches, to spread the branches of God’s Kingdom by winning souls. God’s desire is for His Kingdom to grow, that’s why in Mark 16:15 (NLT), we are told to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone”. One of my favorite verses that stuck with me when I learned I couldn’t command people to live a life of holiness is I Cor. 3:6-7. In this verse, Paul reminds us of our role as children of God, to either plant or water the seed; in some cases, we may even play both roles but remember that it is God who gives the increase. We are asked to share, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts (John 16:8).

Within each of us is a mustard seed, which we have to cultivate for it to grow into the mighty plant it should be, and as it grows, we also need to share it with the world. Nobody lights a lamp to hide it under a bucket, so shine your light that men may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:14 – 16). That is the charge for each of us. You have a Kingdom in you, and I pray that God gives you the grace to unleash your potential so that others can be drawn into its shade and nest. You are the light of the world because God’s Kingdom is within you!

P.S & image cred: The mustard seed