When the president of El Salvador took office, he faced an urgent need:
How to reduce the criminal gang activity that was ruining the country.
The problem appeared impossible to solve.
So what did he do?
According to a recent interview, he and his cabinet prayed.
Yes, they prayed.
This led to some practical measures that reduced the homicide rate by 70 percent in a year.
In the president’s words, the “country’s dramatic and quick turnaround was a miracle.”
We aren’t used to hearing about civil leaders using prayer to solve problems.
But this practice has deep roots in biblical history.
Here are several examples of leaders who prayed:
Solomon prayed for wisdom to govern Israel effectively, showing his desire for discernment and justice (1 Kings 3:9).
Jehoshaphat sought God’s help when faced with a vast enemy army, demonstrating his reliance on divine intervention for deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Hezekiah prayed for deliverance from the Assyrian threat, trusting God to defend Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:19).
Nehemiah prayed for success and favor in his mission to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, seeking God’s guidance and provision (Nehemiah 1:11).
In gratitude, David prayed for the fulfillment of God’s promise to establish his dynasty forever (2 Samuel 7:19ff).
These examples show that prayer was a normal activity among civil leaders, as it should be.
God intends them to uphold His righteousness as “ministers of justice” (Romans 13:4), and this requires His help.
If you are not a civil ruler yourself, this may not seem relevant to you, but it is.
Your ability to carry out God’s calling on your life in peace depends on the earthly authorities who rule over us.
So pray for rulers who will pray!
“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.” — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
