30 Ways to Pray for People in Authority

Attribution: By Gary P. Bergel | Content Architecture by Craig J Carney

• Core Philosophy (The "Why"):

  • The life of every citizen is impacted by individuals who wield significant influence, such as elected officials, judges, business executives, and medical practitioners.

  • This application provides 30 scriptural foundations to pray for these leaders.

• Usage Instructions (The "How"):

  • Do not overwhelm yourself.

  • Select one person or group of people in authority.

  • Open the app daily to pray exactly one biblical principle for them.

Used by permission of Intercessors for America. 1-800-USA-PRAY. https://ifapray.org/ Excerpted from Pray! Magazine issue #13".

The life of every citizen of every nation is impacted by a vast multitude of individuals who wield significant influence each day. Consider: millions of elected officials, appointed judges, lawyers, police officers, bureaucrats, military officers, business executives and managers, those involved in church leadership, educators, medical practitioners and hospital administrators. 

How might we pray for these individuals? Here are 30 things based on Scripture that we can pray for people in authority. Don't overwhelm yourself. Select one person or group of people and then pray one of these things each day for them.

1. That they be God fearing and recognize that they are accountable to Him for each decision and act. 

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ Proverbs 9:10

2. That they are granted wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. 

‘Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.’ James 1:5

3. That they are presented with the gospel and a loving Christian witness. 

‘How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?’ Romans 10:14

4. That, if unsaved, they are drawn to a saving encounter with Christ; if born-again, they are strengthened and encouraged in their faith. 

‘First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’ 1 Timothy 2:1-4

‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.’ Ephesians 1:16-23

5. That they recognize their own inadequacy, pray and seek the will of God.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.’ Proverbs 3:5-8 

‘So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’ Luke 11:9-13

6 .  That they are convicted of sin, transgression, and iniquity. 

‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.’ Psalm 51:17 

‘When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.’ John 8:9

7. That they heed their conscience, confess their sins, and repent. 

‘He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.’ Proverbs 28:13 

‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.’ James 4:8

8. That they read the Bible, attend prayer meetings and Bible studies. 

‘I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.’ Psalm 119:11 

‘Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’ Colossians 3:2

9. That they value and regard the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ. 

‘The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.’ Psalm 19:7-11 

‘So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

10. That they respect and honor their own parents if living.     

“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3

11 That they respect authority and practice accountability.  

‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 

Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.’ Romans 13:1-7

12. That they are given godly counsel and God-fearing advisors. 

‘Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.’ Proverbs 24:6

13. That they are honest and faithful to spouses and children. 

‘Has not the Lord made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 

‘“For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the Lord of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.’ Malachi 2:15-16

14. That they are practicing members of local congregations. 

‘Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:25

15. That they desire purity and avoid debauchery, pornography, perversion, and drunkenness. 

‘Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. 

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.’ 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 

‘It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.’ Titus 2:12-13

16. That they are timely, reliable, and dependable. 

“But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 

‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. 

Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. 

‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. 

Which of the two did the will of his father?” 

“The first,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:28-31

17. That they are honest in financial, tax, and ethical matters. 

‘… nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.’ 1 Corinthians 6:10

‘Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.’ 1 Timothy 6:6-10

18. That they seek pastoral care and counsel when needed.   

‘Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Hebrews 13:7

19. That they seek out and nurture godly friendships. 

 ‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.’ Psalm 1:1-3

20. That they have thankful and teachable spirits. 

‘For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.’ Romans 1:21

21. That they are generous and have compassionate hearts for the poor and needy. 

‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.’ Psalm 112:9 

“But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ 

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 

“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. 

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:33-37

22. That they redeem their time and know priorities. 

‘Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.’ Ephesians 5:15-17

23. That they desire honesty, integrity, and loyalty. 

‘Of David. Vindicate me, O Lord! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 

I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O Lord, to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works. 

O Lord, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. 

But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the congregations I will bless the Lord.’ Psalm 26

‘The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.’ Proverbs 11:3

24. That they have courage to resist manipulation, pressure, and the fear of man. 

‘The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is set securely on high.’ Proverbs 29:25 

‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.’ 2 Timothy 1:7

25. That they are shielded from occultism, New Age cults, false religions, and secret societies. 

‘But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the Lord will perish. 

Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen.’ Isaiah 1:28-29 

‘For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines; they strike hands with the children of foreigners.’ Isaiah 2:6

26. That they are presented with biblical worldviews and principles. 

‘His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.’  Ephesians 3:10-11

27. That they endeavor to restore the sanctity of life, families, divine order, and morality in our nation. 

‘Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.’ Ephesians 5:21-6:4

28. That they would work to reverse the trends of humanism in our nation. 

‘From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.’ 1 Chronicles 12:32 

‘So shall they fear the name of the Lord where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises. For He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the Lord.’ Isaiah 59:19

29. That they desire humility and meekness and be willing to serve and cooperate. 

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14

‘Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.’  Titus 3:1-2

30. That they are prepared to give account to Almighty God.  

‘Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.’ Hebrews 9:27-28

Adapted from "Intercessors for America" newsletter, (Vol 22, No. 3). 

Used by permission of Intercessors for America.

1-800-USA-PRAY

https://ifapray.org/ 

Excerpted from Pray! Magazine issue #13