Feb 07, 2011 Christian Prayer in Times of War
Originally posted on April 1, 2003
As good citizens, we consume the news of the events of war, make decisions and form opinions, use our constitutional freedom to express our views to our leaders, and support those who serve our country and the world in the cause of peace. That’s the privilege and responsibility of being an American.
As Christians, we are called to more than good citizenship. We are called to pray! Many passages in the Bible give us guidance in how to pray for our nation and the world in times of war. One of the most helpful is I Timothy 2:1-6,
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”
In our personal prayers and in gatherings with others, we can confidently pray for these things:
1. For the decision makers. Pray for political and military leaders who hour by hour make decisions that have ramifications for human life. We know that some of these decision makers are committed to Jesus Christ, while others are not. Some are American, some are Iraqi. The Bible shows us through the events it portrays that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is Sovereign over all and can move the minds and hearts of all people. Pray that God would grant wisdom to those who call upon Him, and that He would sway the minds of those who don’t, that this war would end quickly, with justice and freedom being secured for people, and with minimal loss of life.
2. That the outcome of this war would lead to an atmosphere in Iraq where people can hear the gospel, some to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and lead a tranquil and quiet life with dignity.
3. That the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ to liberate people from the tyranny of sin and to set them right with the God of the Bible will be proclaimed and received by Americans and Iraqis alike.
4. For the safety, peace, and courage of those we know who are fighting this war, and for their families.
Let us pray,
Scott Patty, Pastor