It’s election day in Ontario. Which means as citizens of the great nation of Canada it is our right and our responsibility to get out to the polls and vote. In our country we still do have a voice, and the best way we can have our voice heard is to make an informed and educated vote.

But beyond today’s vote there is another way that we as believers in Christ can have our voices heard, and that is before God in our prayers. The Bible is clear that although social structures and political environments change, God is still has the ultimate authority.

(Daniel 2:20-21; Psalm 33:11; Romans 13:1)

Through prayer we can support our leaders and align ourselves with God’s plans and purposes for our region and our nation. Prayer is a powerful tool given to us to exercise the authority of God’s Kingdom in the world around us. Prayer matters!!

1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT gives us four very practical and simple points to remember when praying for our political leaders and our nation…

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 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.”

Pray for all people.

An important point. Although the scripture goes on to talk about praying for those in authority we need to remember to pray for all the people in our nation. We, as followers of Christ, have a mandate to stand in the gap and pray for the people of our nation to repent from their wicked ways and turn their hearts to God. In essence, we are praying for a spiritual revival in our nation. (Ezekiel 22:30; 2 Chronicles 7:14)

Ask God to help them.

This one is pretty simple and easy. In prayer we need to be asking God to help our leaders. We can pray for divine wisdom to interrupt their thoughts and help them to make good decisions that would benefit our nation and lead us forward with peace and unity. We should be praying for them as individuals and for their families as they carry the weight of leadership on their shoulders. (Proverbs 11:14)

Intercede on their behalf.

As believers we have the opportunity to stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of others and in particular this scripture tells us to intercede for our leaders. When they are not men and women of prayer, we are. When they are not asking for God’s guidance and direction, we are. When they are not aware of his intervention, we are. Just as Jesus intercedes for us before the throne of God, we have a mandate to intercede for the world around us. (Isaiah 62:6-7)

Give thanks for them.

I know, sometimes this is a difficult pill to swallow. It’s hard to give thanks for our leaders if we feel they are in error or leading our nation astray. But as with everything in the Word of God these words are there for our own good, and it does us good to follow them. So when we pray for our leaders we need to remember to give thanks for them before God.(Colossians 1:3)