Living in Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus said in Mark 16, “Go preach the Gospel…” The word “preach” in this verse means to announce, or publish. But Jesus uses a completely different word in Matthew 28. There, he says “teach” which means to teach principles. What if the Church was living that? We could work together as churches across a city or county to elect Believers to all kinds of positions. We could be elected to city boards and govern according to the instruction in God’s Word. A motivated congregation that is praying for their schools could put forth candidates for a local school board, win their elections, and rule their school board by biblical principles. (This has actually happened in some places!) This is one way Believers can stop the flow of iniquity and unrighteousness that may be in our cities. And when the people of God are elected, may they be living righteously so as not to bring reproach on our Lord.
“Be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12b; GNT)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
- Stop and think for a moment how those who govern your city, school board, county and state are doing. Are they Christians? Use the internet to find out who they are and pray for them by name.
- Learn about what your city council does, decisions your school board makes, and what your county commissioners do. Does your city have volunteer boards, such as a Parks Board, Economic Development Board, Library Board, etc? Prayerfully consider volunteering. Start attending some of the meetings and pray onsite with insight.
- Talk to your pastor about getting prayer groups together to pray for government, from the local level to the national level.
- Take the responsibility and ask the Lord for a strategy to involve your church in city governmental prayer activities.
A prayer you can pray:
Father, today I want to talk with You about my local government. What would you like me to know. Teach me what I need to research and understand, so I can be effective in interceding for my city council members, school board officials, county commissioners, emergency responders, etc. I don’t know why I have never thought of them before, when the decisions they make impact my life and the life of my family so much. As I pray for them, show me if there is some way I can be involved in prayer and in action. Is there a board where my gifts would be helpful? Is there an office you would like me to run for? Use me to stir up prayer for government in my church and community. I am willing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Today’s decree:
We will pray, we will act, we will instruct, and by God’s grace, we will bring a righteous atmosphere to America!