We are commanded in 1 Timothy 2:2 to pray for those in authority over us, and this is for good reason. Government leaders are established by God to be his instrument (Rom. 13:1-7). They enact order and are a blessing even when imperfect. A quick visit to a country with no functioning government will show that imperfect government leaders are better than anarchy.
However, government leaders and political movements are limited. Politics are important but they are not ultimate and will not bring about the change that a nation truly needs. That is why Christians should pray for government leaders and vote wisely, and even seek to change legislation, but above all they should pray for God to bless the preaching of his Word. What will transform people and a nation is not ultimately the right political candidate, but the gospel going forward throughout the world and increasing and bearing fruit (Col. 1:5-6).
There is historical evidence for the argument that the gospel, not political movements do the most good for nations.
In late 17th century England, conditions were grave morally and societally. The gin epidemic was so bad that one in six houses became a gin shop. Christianity was rapidly being replaced with Deism, Arianism, and atheism to the point that even Queen Caroline received a priest to pray with her at her death to merely avoid the public finding out she was atheist. Prostitution was rampant, the criminal justice system was broken so severely that the death penalty was meted out even for someone unintentionally using a counterfeit bill. Conditions in prisons were horrible, and poverty had reached staggering proportions.
In response to this, many helpful movements were started such as the establishment of hospitals, publicizing the conditions of prisons, legislation against the sale of gin, and even wide spread publishing of Christian resources. However, in the words of Arnold Dallimore, “Despite these many commendable endeavors, there was no noticeable improvement in the moral and religious state of the nation.”
If all these encouraging movements couldn’t bring about the needed change then what could? History shows it wasn’t political movements but the powerful preaching of the gospel that truly changed the nation. England was awakened by the thundering voice of God through the clear and passionate preaching of the gospel which rang out from George Whitefield and others.
What was the effect of this preaching on society? Dallimore says it well:
A religious revival burst forth…which changed in a few years the whole temper of English society. The Church was restored to life and activity. Religion carried to the hearts of the people a fresh spirit of moral zeal, while it purified our literature and our manners. A new philanthropy reformed our prisons, infused clemency and wisdom into our penal laws, abolished the slave trade, and gave the first impulse to popular education.
In short, those who prioritize the gospel do the most social good. It wasn’t a godly emperor that changed and defeated the Roman empire, it was Christianity boldly proclaimed and lived out by men and women of every socio-economic class. This is because man’s greatest problem isn’t outside of him, but within him, and the gospel alone through the working of the Holy Spirit can effect change in that sphere. Paul says in Colossians 2:23 that the false teaching of asceticism has “no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” The same could be said of political ideologies.
People don’t ultimately need a political movement. Those things have little value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. What does have that power? The gospel. Paul points the Colossians to Christ: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” We need a vision of Christ seated on his throne with scars on his hands from accomplishing our redemption.
So, pray for America and this election that God would give us godly leaders that would govern in a way that is pleasing to him. Government leaders matter. The election of Hitler in Germany led to the death of millions. Godly leaders help restrain evil, but only God can abolish it and replace it with righteousness.
If in your heart or in conversation with others a political candidate’s name has been more often on your lips than the name of Christ, then confess that to the Lord and renew your vigor in proclaiming the gospel which alone can change hearts and the heart of a nation. He is our perfect king, he is wise beyond our understanding, his throne is eternal and his term lasts from everlasting to everlasting.
We’re commanded to pray for government leaders, but we’re commanded to preach the gospel. So, let us imitate the 17thcentury pastor Robert Leighton who said to those who were pressuring him to preach politics: “You preach the times; I’ll preach eternity.”
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
