My friend and distinguished professor of theology, Dr. John Mark Hicks, recently posted the following message on his Facebook page as an example of how Christians can and should pray for political leaders…

As I pray for political leaders, I do not pray for the success of their political agendas, the success of their policies, or their intent to gain preeminence in the world or to be first in the world.

Rather, I pray . . .

– That the people of God might have the space to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and dignity

– That the powerless might receive justice in the courts of the land

– That the poor and weak might receive good news

– That the nations will learn war no more

– That the hungry might be fed, the homeless sheltered, and the naked clothed

In other words, I don’t pray for political leaders to accomplish their own agendas, but I pray that the will of God might be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I pray, “Your kingdom come,” and “your will be done.”

And my prayers (my words) are meaningless to me if my money and deeds do not also serve the goal of the kingdom of God.