It’s as easy for God to steer a king’s heart for his purposes as it is for him to direct the course of a stream.”

Proverbs 21:1 TPT

“A King’s Heart for His Purposes”

God can guide the human heart. ANY human heart, even that as powerful as a king, a prime minister, a president. Think of the most tyrannical leader in the world today. Now pray for that person! 

However closed off towards God the leaders of your county might be, God can, and does, change, soften and guide any human heart. No matter how powerful from the world’s point of view. 

After all, it was God who turned the heart of Pharaoh to Joseph; of Darius to Daniel; Nebuchadnezzar to Jeremiah. It was the Lord who turned the heart of Cyrus towards His people. 

“To Direct the Course of a Stream”

To move or direct a river, you would shape, and reshape the banks around it. The river simply follows the direction of the banks, slowing down; picking up speed, or changing course completely. So it is that the Lord directs human hearts; He arranges circumstances like the banks of a river, to guide the flow and direction. 

Rather than kick against and complain about circumstances in our country (mine is Northern Ireland, yours may be somewhere else) we could ask ourselves, “what is God doing in this?” Because God has plans! He always has plans. This is why it’s so important that we pray and intercede for our leaders. 

Prayer Changes Everything!

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“For All People”

Most Christians find it easy enough to pray for the people we love, but we are to pray for our enemies as well; the ones who annoy us, the ones we’ve fallen out with, and even the ones we think hate us.

“For Kings and All Who Are in Authority”

I understand prayer for those in authority to have two purposes: that they would come under the authority of Jesus, and would make decisions that allow the gospel to have free reign.

That they would come to a knowledge of the truth of the gospel, repent, and be saved.

There is no one so high in government that they don’t need salvation in Jesus. But even though God desires all to be saved, people are not automatons. We have free choice. Pray that your county’s leaders come to an understanding of the truth of the gospel. As the ESV puts it that they “come to a knowledge of the truth.” That God would soften their hearts, give them wisdom and direct them in His plans and purposes. 

God has plans for this world, and we get to partner with Him in those plans by being faithful in prayer. 

Jill 💜