Today’s Devotion
Topic: Pray For Them Too!
Text: Acts 14:14-15
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.” Amen
God in His own wisdom and power has placed some people in positions of trust. This makes us see these people so special, who deserve special treatment as well. That is good enough.
The scripture emphasis this in Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you”.
It is however dangerous to see these people in positions of trust as so special and honour them like gods. By this, we make them take the place of God in our lives by worshiping them. God emphatically speaks against worshiping other gods apart from Him.
We are therefore to see our leaders as human as we are: vulnerable to sin and mistakes, they could get better if they yield more to God. They surely deserve our prayers and encouragement.
As we do our best to support and honour our leaders (Pastors, CEO’s, Fathers, Heads of Dept., Managers etc.), let us always be fair and constructive in our criticism. Each of us is a leader in his/ her own right. If you choose to “backbite” and “backstab” the leadership of another, you may just be creating loopholes in your own leadership position for others to strike at you one day. Let us therefore pray for, and support one another in brotherly love.
Begin to pray now. Pray against pride, strife, backbiting and the dirty politics going on in your office, school or home. Secondly, pray for those in authority that God gives them the wisdom to lead. Pray for yourself as a leader too.
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