As believers, we are called to pray for those in leadership, whether it's the leadership of the ruling party, or the leadership of the opposition party. Because our goal of praying is not for them, but for the people in the nation.
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, godly and dignified in every way. - 1 Tim 2:1-2
They are all leaders, and if we are selective in praying for one party, we are not praying the heart of God for the people.
Missing the main purpose of this prayer for leadership is what causes Christians to be divided in supporting political parties and thinking that there should only be one kind of leadership. Well, this kind of interpreting the Scriptures probably only happens for Singaporean Christians. Because we live with a pretty sheltered worldview in this small island.
I have yet to see a national prayer event praying for the leaders of the opposition to lead wisely. Because we presumptuously think that they are bad and wrong.
Ask other believers in various nations and they will give you a different perspective.
But 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. - Jeremiah 29:7
The focus on praying for all leaders is to seek the welfare of the people in the nation.
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝... For he is the servant of God, an avenger 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐫. - Rom 13:2-4
The kind of governmental system ordained by God is for His kingdom to be established on earth. To do justice to the people --- good to good and justice to the wrongdoer.
In seeking the welfare of the nation, justice is the key. Throughout the Bible, we saw justice enforced. Where there was no justice, the kings/leadership were eventually taken out, so that godly kings/leadership could continue to enforce justice.
For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 conquered kingdoms, 𝐞𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞... - Heb 11:32-33
Praying for leadership in our nation is for the welfare and justice of our people in Singapore. This includes praying for godly leaders (regardless of political parties) and praying for new leadership to take over, should any leadership fail to enforce justice.
Ultimately, God's heart is for the people, not position. Our allegiance is towards no one but heaven's ruling party.
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