The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Praying for Our Leaders

This is a topic which will no doubt land me in hot water before it's overwith, but I'm really curious as to what you all think about this. Actually, I'm even more curious as to what the Lord thinks about this.

Paul, in 1 Tim 2:1-2, "exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."

My question is this- if a leader, say the president in this case, has proven that he is an unrighteous, ungodly man, who is against the church and the nation and what they stand for, can we pray that he will be removed from office? Even before his time to serve is up? Is this akin to cursing that leader, or speaking evil of him?

It seems appropriate to pray for godly men and women to take office. Why would it be wrong to pray for the removal of wicked leaders, especially in a "free" country like ours? In Paul's day, you were basically stuck with what you got. In our society, and thank God for it, we can "kick 'em out" on election day. We can also impeach and remove them when needed.

Thanks for your thoughts and any Scriptures that apply on how to pray in these kinds of cases.

Hi Golden Trout. Welcome to The Highway Discussion Board.


Perhaps what we find in Psalm 109:8 would be most appropriate to pray.

"Let his days be few; And let another take his office."

Thank you for the welcome chestnutmare. And thank you for the verse- it speaks well to the current situation. I have been praying for our leaders (for their good, and for wisdom from God for them) for many years. But in some cases, it just seems good to me to pray that the Lord would remove certain men and heal the damage they've caused. But I've heard conflicting views on this, and wanted some fresh input.

Welcome to the Discussion Board.

I seriously doubt you will find much "hot water" here in regard to your question. There is biblical warrant for imprecatory prayers in regard to wicked men. You can read an excellent article by James E. Adams on The Highway in regard to this subject: May We Pray the Imprecatory Psalms?.

Imprecations toward such men as Obama and those of his ilk I believe are justified. However, we are likewise to pray that the sovereign Lord God will by His Spirit convict such men and women of their sinful state and their rebellion against almighty God and bring them to repentance and true faith in the Lord Christ. Thus, I believe it is not an "either/or" choice, but rather both.

Greetings Pilgrim, and thank you for the welcome and input. I will read that article you referenced and perhaps weigh in again later.

Praise God! I was absolutely inspired and enlightened just now by that article. I have been in PCA circles for some 21 years now and have never heard a sermon on the subject of prayer, that included the concepts I just learned. I am referring of course to praying down His judgement upon them, which to my surprise I see now can lead to their salvation. I especially like this quote, because again we see the goodness and mercy of God at work:

"In verse 16 of the psalm we are given one of the reasons that we should desire that the enemy be brought down. As we pray with the psalmist, “Cover their faces with shame,” do we again wonder, “Why?” It is not out of personal hatred or the spirit of a vendetta. Neither is it so that we can gloat over their destruction. Of course not! Our prayer must be, with the psalmist, “so that men will seek your name, O Lord.” Why are we taught to pray for God’s judgment on the enemy? So that they will be converted! Nothing could be clearer from this prayer."

Thanks for pointing me to this article, Pilgrim. It has helped me tremendously! I will approach the Lord in prayer quite differently now with regards this subject.