How Our "Praying For Our Leaders" Falls Short

This text asks us to pray first for all people, then for "all those
in authority," so that humanity everywhere might live in peace.

This text is often cited as a mandate to pray for our country's leaders, and especially for our nation's president.

But the apostle Paul, who was in a Roman prison when he wrote this to a young pastor in a city occupied by Rome, had a much bigger picture in mind. As a Jew, he happened to also be a Roman citizen, but his primary citizenship was in the worldwide Kingdom-of-God-movement, one led by a non-violent Messiah who lived and died for our human neighbors everywhere.

So, far from encouraging prayer for one ruler or one nation alone, Paul was concerned that peace and godliness (God-like behavior) would prevail among people of power and authority around the world. Note the repeated use of the word "all" in this text.

Or, as in the words of Jesus' prayer, "May your (God's) will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

That means everywhere. No exceptions.