The word of God tells us that as believers, we are kings and priests unto our God. A priest represents God to the people and also stands before God on behalf of the people. Paul informs Timothy that supplications, prayers, intercession and giving of thanks should be made for kings and all those in authority so that we may live in peace godliness and reverence.

Whether we like our leaders or not is not the issue, we have the responsibility to pray for them. We may not agree with them as is sometimes the case, nonetheless, we must pray for them. The bible says that the heart of the king is in the hands of God and as rivers of water he turns it in whatever way he wills Proverbs 21:1. If we believe that then we will have the understanding that our prayers can turn the hearts of our leaders towards godliness.

As a nation we are currently in a very politically heated season as we prepare for elections next week. People have already taken sides in terms of how they will vote, and that is fine. In our current scenario, words are being said, with each side accusing the other of this and that. As believers, we should not be partisan to that, but instead we should be in prayer not just for the candidates we support, but for their opponents and those still in office as well.

After the election we will have winners and losers and there is a possibility that your preferred candidate may lose. You and I are called to pray for those who take office, whether we like them or not. From our key scripture, it is evident that we hold the key to peace in the land.

May we take our position in prayer this last week before the polls and contend for this nation because the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.