I disagree with Franklin Graham. I don’t feel any obligation to pray for Joe Biden or his Marxist cadre. One of the elders in my church each week offers a prayer for our leaders who he claims have been put over us by the Almighty—that we should honor and respect them and not oppose them. In other words, sit down and shut up.
So, Hitler, Mao, and all of the tyrants who have killed hundreds of millions were put in authority over us by the Almighty and we should honor them??? Really? How about the notion that Satan is at work in the world and that these leaders and the likes of Joe Biden are doing his bidding?
I believe my churchman is reading out of context the chapter in Romans that talks about leaders and rulers and our obligations under them. A number of theologians have contended that Paul is referring to leaders in the synagogue, not government rulers and that he is giving new Christians instruction in how to obey the Biblical law and honor the traditions of their Jewish brothers and the synagogue.
What explains the determination of the Black Robe Regiment of the Revolutionary War to support armed resistance to the British government? Were they as clergy disobeying Scripture? They were calling for armed rebellion. They often preached with a musket propped up against their pulpit.
I will not honor nor pray for Joe Biden. We need to oppose him through all peaceful means not subjugate ourselves to him and his immoral government. Americans are not slaves or helpless sheep or servants of the government. The government serves us.
Nor will I.
(How about the notion that Satan is at work in the world and that these leaders)
I agree
God turned Nebuchadnezzar, but Belshazzar wound up reading ‘Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin’.
bkmk
However you ‘feel’ the Lord does ask us to pray for our leaders... (for our benefit as His family not necessarily theires).....it does NOT say we have to honor nor respect them. I believe this has to do with their salvation more than anything else as this scripture reflects.
As is written...1 Timothy 2:1-2...... “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for ‘all’ people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness....This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
These people have been turned over to a reprobate mind and cannot be redeemed. I will instead pray that God smites them down and stops their evilness.
Interesting take on Romans.
I share your frustration with the calls to submit to corrupt and immoral governmental leadership. It makes no sense.