In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to, “love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength” (Deut 6:4-5), and “love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18). 1 Timothy 2:1-8 says to pray for all people and give thanks for them, including those in governmental authority. In verse 8 Paul says to do this “free from anger and controversy.” The government itself is an institution established by God, existing to maintain peace, and it’s for our benefit, as stated in Romans 13:1-7. However, it is made up of fallible and corrupt humans, so we must pray for them.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) 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. 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. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. 8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

The definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says: Love is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful, not proud or rude. Love is not demanding, nor irritable, nor does it keep track of being wrong. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

This means praying for all politicians, whether you agree with them or not. In Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:26-36, Jesus instructs us to bless and pray for those who abuse and persecute us, but before he gives this instruction, he first tells us to “love your enemies.” Praying for someone is an act of love, so you can’t really pray for someone you haven’t chosen to love. You aren’t praying to support the agendas you don’t agree with but you are praying out of love for their well-being, safety, families, and success in every agenda you do agree with that will help your country, as well as wise counselors in their midst leading them in the right direction, and for them to be resisted and challenged to change their minds when they are fighting for evil ideas. 

God placed Daniel, Esther, the Hebrew boys, and Nehemiah in the courts of Babylon and Persia, and Joseph in the government of Egypt, so that He could put righteous people in the midst of even wicked or corrupt leaders.

Romans 13:Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

A prayer without faith is a complaint. We should pray for them instead of complaining about them. Complaining is the opposite of prayer and is often done out of fear and anger, rather than out of love. When we complain about things, it means we don’t trust God. The Israelites were rescued from Egypt by God, but they complained the whole time, from Mount Sinai (Exodus 16-17). They saw what God could do, and they still didn’t trust him. Trust and love go hand in hand, so let’s love and trust God’s word enough to act on the command to love those with whom we disagree by praying for them. God will condemn them if they refuse to turn to righteousness, but that is His prerogative, NOT OURS.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Paul sums this all up in Romans 12:9-21. He says not to pretend to love others but actually show that you care. Hate what is evil and hold tightly to what is good (v9-10). Don’t be lazy, but serve God enthusiastically. He says to rejoice in confident hope, being patient and prayerful in times of trouble (v11-12). Be eager to show hospitality to God’s people in need (v. 13). Bless your enemies rather than curse them and love others no matter who they are by being caring and compassionate (v. 14- 15). Live in harmony with people, rather than being too proud to associate with them, and avoid condescension (v16). Don’t pay back evil with evil, do things honorably, and make peace with everyone (v17-18). In Romans 12:19-20, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35, which says, “Vengeance is the Lord’s.” He also quotes Prov 25:21-22. Then in verse 21, Paul wrote, “Do not let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” This is similar to what the psalmist wrote in Psalms 109:1-5.

Romans 12:9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[Deut 32:35] says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[Prov 25:21-22] 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.