Christians often hear this verse quoted as if it is the only thing the Bible has to say about government. Sometimes it is misapplied when there is a challenging moral dilemma that pits our faith against public policy. In such situations, Acts 5:29 applies, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” Still, our general disposition towards government is that it is instituted by God for our good (Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14). We should never participate in denigrating public servants, in personal attacks or name-calling. Nor should we believe every half-baked, anti-government conspiracy theory. Instead, we should pray for government leaders, respect and obey them whenever we can, for our own good.

• Pray for good government that Christians can submit to with a clear conscience.

• Pray for Christians who are facing a moral dilemma in their interaction with government.

God, we want to submit to our government leaders, because we know they are your servants for our good. Please help them to do good. When we must resist, help us to do so with full submission to Jesus and his word, trusting in his Lordship over all, being willing to suffer for doing what is right (1 Peter 3:17) rather than falling for the world’s hateful rhetoric or half truths. We pray for leaders to know you and submit to your righteous rule. Amen.