ARE WE CONDEMNED TO BAD LEADERSHIP?

Today's reflection starts with a personal vent. I am tired of the way this country's leadership is treating its citizens. People are starving, and those who have access to food can barely afford it. Clean drinking water is a luxury in arid areas, yet it is a basic need for survival. The culture of selfishness is deeply entrenched in our government, rather than the culture of service and selflessness. Think about it – why do you have to pay a bribe to get a basic service?

Why am I venting? I'm venting because the people ‘up there' are not affected by drought, water shortages, cost of living, joblessness, poor market conditions and lack of health services. They do not feel the pinch at all!

Dear Church of Christ, we have two choices. We can sit back and watch our country go to the dogs, or start praying for our leaders. God is waiting for us to call on him to change things in our government.

Hold on - why should we pray for our leaders?

1 Timothy 2: 2 "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." (NLT)

If we pray for our leaders, they will do things the RIGHT way, and we can all live in peace!

So, what should we pray for?

1. Pray for God to guide the hearts of our leaders.

Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases." (NLT)

Although God has the power to control the hearts of our leaders, he requires that we pray and ask him to do so. Get on your knees and pray for God's will to prevail in the actions of the leaders around you.

2. Pray for the leaders to submit to God.

Every leader must recognize that God put them in power. The guiding verse for every leader should be;

John 3:30 "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. " (NLT)

If you listen to some of the leaders' utterances carefully, you will note that they are full of themselves. Pray for each one to remember where they started from, to acknowledge who put them in power, and to look to God for guidance as they lead.

3. Pray that our leaders treat us the way they want to be treated.

Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would like them to do to you." (NLT)

Many leaders forget that they cannot lead forever and that they will one day go back to regular status. Every leader must, therefore, treat those under him with the respect that they deserve. Note that leaders who treat their people well are spoken of fondly and treated with respect even when they are no longer in leadership.

4. Pray for our leaders to rule justly.

Proverbs 16:12 "A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice." (NLT)

If you firmly believe that our country is not founded on justice, pray. Pray for our leaders to gather the guts to stand up to injustices and fight for what is right. Also, pray that those in influential positions will say no to corruption. Pray for our leaders to set an example of integrity for the rest of the nation, no matter what it takes.

Proverbs 29:4 "A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it."  (NLT)

Pray for the restoration of justice and righteousness within our leadership.

5. Pray for wise leaders.

Every leader needs wisdom to make decisions that are in the best interests of the citizens. God's wisdom is, therefore, something that every leader should desire. Pray for our leaders to realize that they need God's wisdom to help them succeed in their endeavors.

Proverbs 11:14 "Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers." (NLT)

Do not forget to pray for the people who surround your leaders; the ones they turn to for advice.

Back to the title – are we condemned to bad leadership? Yes, we are, if we do not do anything about it. If you are already in leadership, the points above will show you how to be a leader who pleases God. If you are an ordinary person like me who believes in the power of prayer, get on your knees and pray for your leaders. 

The future of this country lies in our hands.

Did you miss last week's reflection? Here it is - It's time to grow up!

Interested in reading about something else? Check this out - Life Lessons from the Ant