verses on pray

I can pray for someone without agreeing with their policies or even liking them. God said to return good for evil, He didn't say we had to become best buds and excuse their actions.

It isn't necessarily bad to disagree or even complain when something isn't happening the way we believe it should. As a matter of fact, in this country it is our duty to make our opinions known when something is happening that we believe to be wrong. That duty doesn't end just because we are praying that God will strike some sense into our leaders.

 

I always pray for the elected officials. They have heavy burdens on their shoulders. My belief is GOD can use anyone to work his work even if they don't know it is for his good.

Then there is George W Bush??? :laugh:

Lastly, don't miss this word, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

 

Sorry DonnA, I meant to put this guy, , on the end of the second paragraph.

However I hold to my first paragraph where I state I do not have to agree with someone in order to pray for them. Nor does my praying for them necessarily change my opinion of their policies.

 

I take the "all men" part as meaning that if we can think of their name we should pray for them. Now that will lengthen your prayer time!

I also pray for the leaders of both America and Japan. I think the verse is clear about that. It doesn't say "church authority," just "authority.

As for criticizing them after we pray for them--doesn't the Consitution allow that somewhere??:smilewinkgrin:

 

Sorry. That was just a throwaway line. I'm trying to think of Scripture to permit criticizing our leaders, but I can't think of any.

I do think, though, that public criticism of their policies is allowed, since we are in a democracy and the leaders work for us! So I believe for a Christian to call our President a liar is a personal attack and wrong according to Scripture, but to say he is spending too much is entirely allowed.

 

I'm thankful to God for being born in America.

donnA, we are living in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Inherit with our citizenship in this great nation is to have self-expression, if even if that self-expression is in opposition to the elected officials, that would have us be silent. We do not believe in the divine right of Presidents.
This great nation came about because someone(our founding fathers) told King George NO!!
My prayerS for the president or for his guidance from Almighty God. But at the same time the laws o this nation are suppose to applied to the president of. Also perhaps the truth should be followed by the president. Another word of it appears that George W. Bush is following his own counsel instead of what is found written in the Bible.

 

I agree with mima.
We are to pray for our leaders....that will keep us busy. But, if we never opened our mouths to give our opinions, that would leave us completely silent. I don't believe God intended for us to be silent. The diciples questioned Jesus just as we question those in authority. If we are silent, then we will become Stepford Wives. :smilewinkgrin:
:Fish: