Pray for Those in Charge
by Jim Elzerman

I was reading Daniel in my personal devotions recently and came across the lesson that God had for King Nebuchadnezzar when he sent him out to live with the wild animals. The Message, by Eugene Peterson records it this way: "This is the verdict on you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your kingdom is taken from you. You will be driven out of human company and live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like an ox. The sentence is for seven seasons, enough time to learn that the High God rules human kingdoms and puts whomever he wishes in charge" (Daniel 4:32).

At the end of the seven years when Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his right mind, he blessed the High God saying: "His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. Life on this earth doesn't add up to much, but God's heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question" (Daniel 4:34, The Message).

In the troubled and uncertain times we live in, it is good to know that God's sovereign rule never ends and that He is the one Who is in control of those in high places of leadership.

In a parallel vein, I recently received an email from Dave Browne, President and CEO of Family Christian Stores regarding President Bush's request for prayer. In that email, Mr. Brown shared these specific requests from our president.

President Bush specifically requests prayer for:
- Wisdom for he and his advisors as he considers leading the effort to disarm Saddam in light of the safety of our people and the peace of the world.
- The soldiers who are being deployed to be acutely aware of the value of their training, their honor and the appreciation of the American people. May God's strength, help and protection literally dwell with our troops.
- The leaders of the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security and the Department of Defense as they follow the President's orders to develop a Terrorist Threat Integration Center that will gather and analyze information about all kinds of threats to America in one place. Pray that God will guide them in the process of making our nation safe from terrorist threats.
- For our nation, pray that America will realize that it is mightiest when on its knees. May this be the year that America turns back to God.

Dave Browne closed that email with these thoughts: "We are grateful that God has placed [emphasis added] a man of faith in the White House, and we celebrate the freedom we enjoy in America to pray openly. May God continue to bless America."

Paul admonished Timothy to "pray…for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" (1 Timothy 2:2, NIV). Please remember to pray for those God has placed in authority, especially our President and other elected officials.