Prayer Guidelines 

Prayers For the Leadership of a Nation

G20 Summit

Both leadership and headship of a nation are of major importance. People desire to respect and honour their national leaders. This brings about a sense of stability in the nation.

Headship of a nation may be carried by a King or Queen, a President, a Governor or a military leader. Their influence is vastly important and comes by example, attitude and influence. They have a great effect on the people of the nation they represent.

In an elected government the administrative leader is usually the Prime Minister and he or she will have a vast influence on the nation as well as on international relationships.

General Overview
Every country has a national leader and they have a dual role. They are not only Head of the Nation but also Head of State.  

As Head of the Nation, they will be expected to represent their country to the rest of the world. They receive foreign ambassadors who represent their countries. They also entertain visiting Heads of State and make State visits to other countries, and, in so doing, support diplomatic and economic relations.
 
As Head of State, they undertake a variety of duties that relate to their country's constitution and are also representational within their country.  Historical and cultural backgrounds will differ from nation to nation, and a nation's political history will have a deep effect on the duties of its national leadership. Culturally, the Head of State in an African or Asian country will vary in its expression to that from a European country.  In general principle there will be similarities. Their national identity will be expressed on behalf of the nation, in legal, social and cultural national events.

A national leader will also have personal families and responsibilities within their family. At times, there could be a conflict between personal and national responsibilities. These responsibilities will have to be handled with care and diplomacy.

So how should we pray for our national leaders?

1. Supplications.  
Supplication has a sense of entreaty or the making of a request. Those in authority have needs as a person in the position they hold.  .

Let us pray that their needs as a leader and as a family member will be met.  Those needs will include a need of health, strength and wisdom.

2. Intercessions
We must never forget that we are considering a spiritual situation, when there will be spiritual dimensions to the person for whom we pray. As intercessors, we will stand before the Lord on behalf of that person. 
    Isaiah 59:16(a) - He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.

If we are obedient to the Word, God will never have to ask why there is no intercessor. Remember that when we intercede, we stand in the place of the person for whom we are praying and pray as if we were that person.

Let us intercede for them as if we were carrying their weight of responsibility.

3. Giving of thanks for all men
This includes those in authority – and not just those we personally like or admire. As we give thanks for them, we are not only obeying the Lord, but we seal that situation in our own hearts so that there is no room for bitterness, anger, unforgiveness or any other condition that would cause  us a hardness of heart.
 
In the words of Romans 13: 1 - Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  The positions of authority are put in place by God, but the people who hold those positions need our prayers.  We are to pray that they will be able to fulfil those duties in a God honouring way.  It does not need to be said that some people in positions of authority have no thought for God and no desire to honour Him.  They need our prayers.

Let us give thanks for them
Should we give thanks for them? According to scripture, YES. When we do, we stop negative attitudes creeping in to our words and, open the door for the Lord to reach in to their situation. There are many scriptures that tell us how we should pray. Criticism, even when justified, has a negative impact.  With prayer, we bring the situation before the Throne of God and open the door for His touch.
 

Great Britainqueen pd

In Britain the current national leader is Queen Elizabeth 11. Using her role as an example, these notes may be applied to any national leader.

Queen Elizabeth II has two roles in the Nation. She is Head of Nation and Head of the Sate. As Head of the Nation, her influence and example have a profound effect on the nation. As Head of State, the Queen undertakes a variety of duties that are constitutional and also representational. These duties have developed over a thousand years of history

There are duties that the general public is not always aware of. The State functions like the opening of Parliament are obvious. The less obvious are Orders in Council to be approved, Acts of Parliament to be signed and meetings with the Prime Minister.

There are also duties that are representational. In duties of State, the Queen represents Britain to the rest of the world. She receives foreign country's Ambassadors and High Commissioners who represent their countries in the Commonwealth. The Queen entertains visiting Heads of State, and makes State visits overseas to other countries and, in so doing, supports diplomatic and economic relations.

The life of any national leader is lived very much in the public eye. Queen Elizabeth 11 has a reputation for being wise in her country's affairs and diplomatic relationships. Although not very tall, she carries a sense of dignity and majesty. She is also a wife and a mother who cares for her family deeply.  The personal life of a leader should not be overlooked.

These two loyalties - for the nation and for her family - can need simultaneous attention and put great stress on Her Majesty. In fulfilling her Coronation Oath, there are times when her Royal duties and her family commitment occur at the same time. These occasions require great care and diplomacy. When others are thinking of retirement and taking things easy, Her Majesty has no thought of retirement. Hers is a commitment for life. Other national leaders usually have a specific term for which they will hold their position.  

Give thanks for H M Queen Elizabeth II that:
•    she has been and is a good example to the nation(s)
      Proverbs 16:12 -  .....a throne is established by righteousness.

•    she is known for her graciousness and her wise and good counsel. 
      Proverbs 11:16 - A gracious woman retains honour.

•    she has taken seriously her Coronation Oath to govern with justice and 'to the utmost of her power maintain the Laws of God and the true
      profession of the Gospel.'


Let us pray in these troubled times that:
•    the Queen will be a steadying influence on the nation and the Commonwealth. 
      Romans 13:7 - Render therefore to all their due: ......, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

•    her example and influence will be an inspiration to all. 
      Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent will rule.

•    she will keep good health and strength. 
      Deuteronomy 33:25 - As your days, so shall your strength be.

At one time, any large gathering was also an occasion for the singing of the National Anthem. It should be noted that the National Anthem is also a prayer and not just an expression of national identity.

Here are three of the verses of the Anthem. They can be sung or spoken as a prayer.         

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen
.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.
Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore.
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world o'er.

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