A CALL TO PRAY FOR ALL LEADERS AND AUTHORITIES

1 Timothy 2:1-4

By: Sis. Lilia A. Cabatbat

 When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, persecution was a growing threat to believers. When Emperor Nero needed a scapegoat for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome, he blamed the Roman Christians so as to take the focus off him. The persecution erupted throughout the Roman Empire, so not only Christians had been denied certain privileges in society, but some were even publicly butchered, burned or fed to wild animals. Paul’s command to pray for kings was remarkable considering that Nero, a notorious cruel ruler, was emperor at this time.

WHY MUST WE PRAY?

1.       IT’S A COMMAND

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2a

Therefore, I 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.

 

The command is for God’s people to be engaged in the work of prayer. JEREMIAH 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Praise the Lord! God has given us His direct line, wherein we can call Him anytime 24/7, with the promise that He will answer us. Hope it encourages us to pray more, knowing that our God always hears us when we call on Him, as we pray in line with His will.

 

Although God is all powerful and all knowing, He has chosen us to change the hearts of men, kings and all in authorities through our prayers. And what a privilege to be in God’s presence, praying and interceding for these people.

 

When it comes to prayer people often put their own needs first instead of doing what the Bible says to pray first for others. For whatever reason, I don’t know. If it’s because of lack of knowledge, I thank God He never fail to remind us.

 

As God’s children we can do something for the destiny of our nation. For example: It’s a fact that the Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. Will you continue to believe that the Philippines will always be a corrupt and poor country? I personally refused to believe the devil’s report cause I know, as I pray, God will heal our land and the people, as He promised in His WORD that “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turned away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 CHRONICLES 7:14. Amen!

 

Our God is the God of Hope, regardless of the present condition of our country. He is able to change, restore and heal our land, as we pray and believe that God is doing miraculous things beyond what we’ve ask or imagine. EPHESIANS 3:20, Amen! Also, the Church’s prayer for the world and recognition of the authority of the state are fundamental for the church evangelistic mission, for as we know “all evangelism must begin with prayer.” Therefore, we must be persistent in our intercession. “PUSH” means: P-ray U-ntil S-omething H-appens, for we know that our God is Faithful. Amen! Kaya mga kapatid, if you are not praying, then don’t expect anything good to happen. Kung wala kayong tinanim, definitely wala kayong aanihin, as simple as that!  Remember God’s principle of sowing and reaping.

 

Did we ever consider the current state of problems in nations today? Does it move us to pray for those people in authorities, or does it cause us to criticize and make fun of them? Be reminded that no authority placed in position except that which God has established, Romans 13:1. And if you are criticizing and making fun of them, you are doing it to God, because it is He who placed them there. So stop criticizing our boss, our pastors, leaders & authorities instead pray for them that the Lord may grant them wisdom and grace.

Leaders make critical decisions where there is much at stake, they can be influenced by negative spiritual forces, and that their wrong decisions can be hurtful and costly.  

 

Hope we can see the importance of interceding for all our leaders and authorities. Remember that as we pray, we invite God into the situation we pray about. Amen.

 

II. A SPIRITUAL REASON

 

1 Timothy 2:2b.    That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

 

  a) It leads to a peaceful life.

In the beginning, it is God’s original plan for His people to take responsibility and have dominion over all the affairs of the earth, Genesis 1:28. But when Adam sinned he handed that power over to Satan. By default, Satan became the god of this world, he became in charge, that’s why the world now is in chaos, the morals and values of peoples are upside down as we can see and hear in the news. Praise God when we became born again, we became a co -heirs of Jesus & God has given us back the power and authority to take charge  of every affairs of the earth, to bind every schemes & demolish every stronghold of Satan over the hearts and minds of every leaders and authorities. Indeed, as we pray nations would be at peace and it’s important so that the Gospel can go forward unhindered.

 

  b) It leads to a powerful life.

As we are allowed to live out our faith, we are given the opportunity for God’s Light to shine in us. God call us, the salt of the earth, so we act as a preserving force in the earth and help manifest God’s plan and purpose.

 

III. A SPIRITUAL RESULTS.

1 Timothy 2: 3-4

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. ⁴ Who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Truly as we pray there are results that are worth the price of diligence and worth all the effort.

 

  a) The savior will be exalted.

      When all men are prayed for, when peace reigns and when believers are living lives that point to God, God is exalted.

 

  b) The sinner will be evangelized.

      When we pray God sent His Holy Spirit to bring conviction in the hearts of men and as we live our life as we should, we become partner with God in the salvation of the lost.

 

So, Why Must We Pray then? Because:

I. It’s a command

   To first of all, pray for all who are in authority. So I hope from this on when you pray please do always remember them.

 

II. Spiritual Reasons

    a) It leads to a peaceful life that the Gospel can go forward unhindered.

    b) It leads to a powerful life by giving us the opportunity to let His Light shine through us for His glory.

 

III. Spiritual Results

    a) God will be exalted.

    b) Sinners will be evangelized.

 

Therefore, let us do what we are commanded to do, that is to Pray, Walk with God in obedience to His Word and Share the message.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

There are many leaders and authorities who need our prayers. Let us do our part to make change happen with God’s divine intervention. The church need to take their responsibility for the spiritual  climate of nations. We really have to pray and intercede for all authorities in the government, in our workplaces, in our church and in our homes, that they may exercise justice, integrity, transparency and honesty, and  that they may rule with the fear of the Lord and with Godly principle in their hearts.

 

Let us pray that God will touch the hearts of the authorities of every nations that favor be granted to missionaries, that there is freedom for the Gospel to be freely proclaimed to places where it has not been before and the stronghold of spiritual resistance, religiosity and self righteousness be broken down by the power of the blood and of the Name of Jesus. Amen.

 

My prayer is that the church will truly know their identity in Christ and the authority they have in Him, that they may rise up in power and victory through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Amen!

The Declaration of Dependence

Jonah 1 and 2

By: Leonor Fernandez

 One hundred fourteen years ago, on June 12, 1898, in El Viejo, Cavite, now known as Kawit, Cavite the public reading of the act of Declaration of Independence occurred. Filipino revolutionary forces under Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence and autonomy of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain. The event saw the unfurling of the Philippine national flag made by Marcela Agoncillo and the performance of the Marcha Filipina Magdalo as the nation’s national anthem, now known as Lupang Hinirang. Fast tracked to date, The Philippines is now a democratic nation, a constitutional republic, governed by a unitary state, away from the cocoon of those that ruled and colonized us. We are now and independent nation, a free people.

 As individuals, independence is also what we long for. We like to have autonomy to govern our own path. We want to make a mark, but on our own terms. As present day believers, we follow Christ as long as His path eventually converges onto the one we already have chosen. We want to have autonomy on our own life’s decision. So when anyone, including God, step in and make demand we push back and disobey.

In the Bible there’s a prophet who was somewhat like us. He wanted to be independent, that’s why when God called him for a mission, and he ran away.

 THE CALL

 

Jonah 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ² "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out (NIV- preach) against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

 In verse 2, He gave him three commands:  "Arise, go, preach.”

Jonah was sent there not only for Nineveh's good but also to shame Israel in a very dramatic way. Instead of evangelizing, instead of reaching out and proclaiming the one true God to the nations around them, Israel was entrenched in a self-indulgent form of religion. And when this one sort of non-descript strange prophet went to Nineveh all by himself, preached to them, and the whole place repented, it was going to be a rather large rebuke of Israel's attitude.  Jesus used Nineveh’s response to Jonah’s preaching as a rebuke to Israel during His earthly years.

 

Luke 11:32 (NKJV)

The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

 

THE RESPONSE

 

 Jonah 1:3

“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”

 

Jonah did not respond positively, and that is the disobedience.

 Reasons of Jonah’s disobedience:

1.       FEAR- Nineveh was Israel’s enemy in time of war. You don't just walk into the chief city of the enemy and preach at them, especially if you are the ones that they are attacking. That's tremendously frightening thought to most people.

2.       SELFISHNESS -The last thing the Jews wanted was the Gentiles honing in on their God. They were so far away from the mentality of reaching the lost nations with the truth of Jehovah as to be locked into an attitude that says "we don't want any Gentiles sharing any of this good stuff with us," they were entrenched and had no thought for reaching the Gentiles.

3.       PREJUDICE-Because he knew God is gracious (Chapter 4) and he knew that even though the message against Nineveh was judgment, if Nineveh repented, God would forgive Nineveh and he couldn't stand the thought of heathen people being forgiven. He couldn't stand the thought of any Gentile nation that was an oppressor and an aggressor against Israel being forgiven. I mean, that is prejudice that runs very, very deep.

4.       NATIONALISM/RACISM- If he goes and preaches and they repent, they'll step into the place of blessing and Israel that was filled with sin will be out of the place of blessing and God will turn to the Gentiles and his people will be lost to His blessing. Do you see his dilemma? I mean, it's nationalism to the hilt. He feared the end of Israel's special election.

 THE CONSEQUENCE

 1.       God Sent A Storm

 

 Jonah 1:4, 5a

 ⁴ Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. ⁵ All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.

 

This was a miracle wind, the Lord sent this wind.

 This is not a normal course. The Lord sent it. And there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was in danger of being broken. Now God went after the fleeing prophet. All the rest of the people were victims. I suppose you've thought when you've gotten on a plane, "I hope there's not a fleeing prophet on this airplane," right? See, rebellion never escapes God. He always identifies the person and says, "Thou art the man." God may let a person go to a certain point, but eventually He'll step in. And God sent a storm.

 2.       Jonah Was Reprimanded

 

Jonah 1:5b, 6

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. ⁶ The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

 

This was ironic. Everybody else was praying to their gods and throwing things overboard in the midst of the storm and he was in this deep sleep of false security, with no thought that God was after him. "So the shipmaster captain came to him and said to him, What do you mean, O sleeper? What are you doing? Get up, call on your God." I mean, among all of us we must be able to get through to somebody to stop this thing. And so far we are unsuccessful. "If so be that God will think upon us that we don't perish.” Start praying to your God. And so here was a pagan who called Jonah to prayer. He didn’t want to talk to his God about anything, he just wanted to sleep.

 3.       He Was Pitched Into The Ocean

 

 Jonah 1:11, 12

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” ¹² “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.

 

And they said to him, What do we do for thee that the sea might be calm unto us for the sea raged and was tempestuous. What do we do?" Now Jonah on the spot could have repented in prayer, he could have told God he would obey. He was so belligerent and he was so prejudiced and he was so self-willed that he says, "I would rather die than go preach grace to those Ninevites, have them converted, blessed by God. I can't stand the thought. I'd rather die." That's amazing, isn't it? Now that shows how deep this prejudice was. That shows how far away the heart of this man was from the passionate concern for the lost that filled the heart of God.

 So he said in verse 12, "Take me up and throw me into the sea." That is amazing. Sometimes negative situations soften the heart of a man, but this negative situation just hardened it. And he was angry. He said, "Just pitch me in the ocean. I'd rather die than see that Gentile city converted, those enemies, those Ninevites."

 4.       He Was Swallowed By A Huge Fish

 

Jonah 1:17

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights

 

God was not done with Jonah, he's not going to be able to just go down there and drown like he wanted. He's not going to be able to have that luxury. God prepares a big fish and swallowed Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Remarkable, wasn't it? And some people have as much trouble swallowing that as the fish no doubt had swallowed Jonah. And the rationalists and some people I talked with really struggle with that. But I don't think this was a very special miracle. It was unique but I don't know, I've seen it in National Geographic, you know, about a 70-foot great white shark swallowing a man and the man survived and there are sharks and sperm whales whose mouths are big enough and whose stomachs are big enough. I really can't imagine what the accommodations were like over that three-day period, or how all of the factors worked out, but I don't have any problem believing that. I mean, he was swallowed. I mean, to put it another way, the God who preserves the living embryo in its living grave in the womb of a mother can sure preserve a man in the belly of a fish, if He wants.

 THE RECOGNITION OF GOD AND DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE UNTO HIM

   1.       Recognition Of God’s Authority

 

Jonah 2:1a

“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God”. "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God out of the fish's belly."

 

He went right to God, just like the prodigal son in Luke 15, "I will arise and go to my father." He was awakened to submit himself to the Lord his God. He stopped running and said, "Okay, God, this is it. If You're going to play this way, I give. I can't fight like this, I submit to You. I recognize Your authority, I come to You. I depend upon you.

 2.       Recognition Of  His Own Predicament

 

Jonah 2:1b

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry”.

 

I cry by reason of my affliction." I mean, the reason I'm crying out is because this is not a happy occasion. Don't get the idea that being in the fish's stomach was somewhat of a  pleasant experience, it was an absolutely horrifying painful affliction that's beyond imagination, inconceivable what kind of horrible experience it would be. And he knew he was as good as dead. He was crying, as it were, out of the belly of the grave. And it is crucial to deliverance from disobedience that one recognizes God's authority and recognizes his predicament. And what he was saying was, "I'm hopeless, I can't go any further, this is it, God, I cry out to You in my hopelessness."

 3.       Recognition Of God's Presence

 

Jonah 2:3-6

“You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. For You cast me into the deep in the midst of the sea and the floods compassed me about all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me. Then I said I am cast out of Thy sight, yet I will look again toward Thine holy temple. O God, You've done this, You've put me here and now I lift my eyes to look to Your holy temple. The waters compassed me about even to the soul, the depth closed me round about. The weeds were wrapped around my head, I went down to the bottom of the mountains, the earth with its bars was about me forever, yet hast Thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God."

 

And what he said was “I recognize You're in all of this. You threw me down here. You've preserved my life. You got me in this thing and You're still here.” And when you have disobeyed the Lord and drifted from His presence, you must recognize His authority and recognize your predicament and recognize the presence of God in all the things that have happened.

 4.       Recognition Of God's Forgiveness

 

Jonah 2:7

 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple”.

 

Jonah got his eyes off his problem now and said, "I remembered the Lord, I remembered the Lord." Ever and always, the pattern for the overcomer is to see his circumstances, see that God is in his circumstance and then lose sight of his circumstance and see God and God only.

 5.       Recognition Of God's Power

 

Jonah 2:8. 9

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. ⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.  I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.”

 He who had observed the lying vanities of the world, he who thought he could be happy and satisfied in being independent from God and grasping for the nothingness of that disobedience found out that he had forsaken the mercy that was available to him. In other words, what he's saying there is when I went into disobedience I forsook your blessing. No believer is blessed apart from God. They forsake their own mercy. Disobedience is to walk away from the merciful goodness of God. So what he was doing was repenting, that's what he  was doing...he was repenting. They that do what I do forsake their mercy. And then he can't make a sacrifice there, obviously, so he says, "I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving." The best I can do is just offer you praise, I can't start a fire in here, obviously, I don't have a lamb, I'm going to pay my vow...I'm going to make You promises and I'm going to pay those promises. This was a foxhole conversion if ever there was one. "I sacrifice unto You with a voice of thanksgiving, I'll pay...I'll do everything I promise, O God, salvation is of the Lord." And what he meant was “save me, O God, save me, O God, get me out of here.”

 You may come to a disastrous point in your life but in the middle of that extremity and that disaster, if you recognize God's authority, if you recognize your predicament, if you understand God's presence is there, God's forgiveness is available and God's power is mighty to save. He can turn the course of your life all the way around, even in the midst of a desperate situation.

 

Jonah 2:10     Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto a dry land.

 

CONCLUSION:

 Chapters 3 and 4 tell us that Jonah had the same call from God, this time he responded in the positive way, He obeyed the Lord.