The Church and the Government

[Beginning 9/25, and continuing through TOMORROW, Election Day, November 3rd, Give Him 15 is joining forces with many other national prayer ministries in 40 Days of Prayer for America. Dave Kubal, President of Intercessors for America, provides today’s prayer focus.]

“In this important election year, the most fundamental questions about who we are and what is moral are underpinning all the debates and rhetoric. Who should answer these questions? 

“The Church is designed to foster our spiritual lives, and the government our civil lives. Even so, the Bible indicates that the Church should guide our morals as well as our civics. 

“It is not God’s will to establish a theocracy. There does not need to be a ‘wall between church and state,’ but there is a clear distinction in Scripture concerning the roles of church and state (government).

“Government is not designed to bring spiritual leadership to a nation. The biblical qualifications of governmental leaders are very different from spiritual leaders, including the qualities of integrity, fearing God, and being respected. 

“Government is not the source of spiritual revival. Our President is correctly called Commander-in-Chief. He is not Pastor-in-Chief. Though we desire our presidents to be God-fearing, trustworthy, and full of integrity, we do not look to them as spiritual leaders. 

“We pray that every president has a personal relationship with Christ and walks closely in step with Holy Spirit and in holiness, but we must not seek to rely on his spiritual influence. 

“Government has the God-given authority to do certain things, but cannot violate what the Founders called our unalienable rights. For example, God has given authority to governments to protect citizens and provide for the common good in regard to infrastructure and markets. 

“The Church is to influence government indirectly through the moral training of leaders and diplomats, but it is not to seek authority or validity from governments. God established the Church. And the Church stewards the nation, not the other way around. The Church is commanded to influence the government through prayer and intercession, cooperating with the will and plan of God. 

“As the nation faces some of the greatest crises of our lifetime, we must pray fervently for both the government and the Church to properly fulfill their roles.”

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4; NIV)

Points for Prayer (By, Dave Kubal):

• Pray for the Church to arise and shine, bringing the Gospel message to every community in America.
• Pray for the values of the Word of God to be reflected in the positions, policies, and laws in our communities, states, and nation.
• Pray for the Church to have a profound and lasting impact on our nation and this election.

A Prayer You Can Pray:

Father, we acknowledge You as the Giver of all life. You desire that people would live in relationship with Your son, Jesus. You therefore set up earthly systems to govern our lives such that we might be free to find Jesus, to worship You freely, and to share our faith with others. We acknowledge that You provided us with guidance in Your Word that shows us how to live God-fearing, moral, and ethical lives within a spiritual context, as well as within a civic context. Further, we know that governing the religious and civic realms are similar, yet different. We know we do not elect representatives as “pastors-in-chief”. However, we do want to choose those to govern us who will honor life, as well as our freedom of religion, and will act to protect all of our citizens. We desire to elect leaders who are God-honoring, if not God-fearing, as well. 

Father, we ask that the values in Your Word would be reflected in an even greater degree than ever before in the positions, policies, and laws of our communities, states, and nation. The world often rejects Your goodness, because we have not represented You well in the religious or civic arenas. There has been so much confusion sown by those who say they represent You, and yet enact laws that are the opposite of Your Word and nature. This has to be straightened out. Give us another opportunity to press forward and advance the progress we have made in the last 4 years. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Decree:

The Church will act as stewards of the nation.

Learn more about Intercessors for America here.