Pray for Our Government

Daily Devotional 29 Sept 2020

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 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. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
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If you’re like me, you’ve been keeping an eye on the progression of the coronavirus cases in Canada and specifically in Ontario this fall as our province has begun the process of opening up. If so, yesterday marked a discomfiting milestone–over 2,100 new cases in Canada and 700 in the province alone–a one day high that has not been seen since the onset of the spread of the COVID-19. Those who predicted a ‘second wave’ can take little comfort in having been right. Unfortunately this is just the beginning of the newest build-up and is likely to climb much higher very quickly. In the face of this continuing and exacerbated situation, I have had one overwhelming thought; I am so glad that I am not one of our provincial leaders attempting to discern a solution! It is not pessimistic to wonder if there even is one...aside from God’s divine intervention! So what can we do? May I suggest that aside from trying to abide by the rules around mask wearing, social distancing, frequent hand washing and isolation when necessary, that there really is only one solution...prayer!

What should we pray about? We can pray for God to intervene and miraculously eliminate the virus (though it is my conviction that He is permitting it to allow for a greater purpose than we have yet to acknowledge on a global scale). We can pray for the safety and health of our family and neighbours. We can pray for the healing of those who are sick. We can pray for the comfort and peace of those who have lost loved ones. But may I also suggest that we get very intentional in our prayers for our civic leaders–our elected government officials. How many of them couldn’t even have dreamed of the crisis they have been called upon to navigate on the day they were cheered for their electoral victories? I for one do not envy their role. But today’s verse reminds me of the role I need to play in their success as our leaders; I need to be praying for them–interceding on their behalf and thanking God for their leadership. I can’t imagine having to walk in their shoes these days...and many are probably having trouble with it themselves. Pray for their well-being–emotional, social, physical and spiritual. Pray that they have wisdom and discernment that comes from God as they attempt to address the newest surging numbers of infections. And pray that we as a populace will learn to comply and support them.
~ Pastor Jane