Shouldn’t We Pray For Them?

Q

I was rather taken by aback by the aggressive stance you took in your latest article concerning 2 Chronicles 7:14. You seem to suggest believers should not be praying for those who are misrepresenting the gospel yet leading churches, and for unsaved govt leaders who are taking the nation further down the wrong path. May I ask, when did the Lord tell you to stop praying for those in this nation?

A

You missed the point. Praying for our leaders, whether religious or secular, is encouraged in the Bible, and we should also be praying for everyone who is not saved regardless of their position (1 Tim. 2:1-4). What I object to is the American Church claiming 2 Chron. 7:14 as the basis for asking God to forgive our sins and heal our land.

This is a false teaching that appeals to our worldly nature as Americans, but is not consistent with our destiny as part of the world wide Church. In the first place, our sins were all forgiven at the cross (Colossians 2:13-14), and in the second place the Church has no national homeland on Earth. Our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20) and our heart’s desire should be to go there.