I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

How to Pray for Elected Officials and Community Leaders

The Bible is pretty clear that we are mandated to pray for our leaders and those in authority.  Too often though we pray about our leaders, rather than for them, or we just pray for those we know are Christians, too.

Whenever you approach an elected official, you need to know that many of them are thinking at least one of two things (and probably both): First, “what is this person’s real agenda, and how are they going to use whatever I say to hurt me or my career?”  Second, “how can I use this person to my advantage?”

I know this sounds cynical, but our community leaders, especially those in elected office, have learned from experience to be wary of the “church crowd” even when they want to reach out and be included. 

Too often, Christians’ involvement in the community and our engagement with community leaders only occurs in the form of criticism.  They enact something we do not like or agree with, so we attack them as immoral and sinful, and usually that from a distance.  It’s kind of like we throw grenades over the walls of our church campus fortress. 

But where were we in the process?  Did we write letters, make phone calls, send emails?  Or, even better, were we actually there in the halls of governance?

If we are to obey the biblical mandate to pray for our leaders, we must engage them where they are.  Most cities, for example, have their councils meet twice per month on a particular evening.  We should be there to observe, and to get to know the council members and city staff.  Let them get to know us.  Tell them we are praying for them.

In fact, many cities begin proceedings with an invocation.  They look for local religious leaders to do this.  If they do not, every public meeting has a public comment period when anyone from the community may address the council on any subject for a limited time.  I have seen Christians use this time to pray for the council with great boldness and effectiveness. 

Regardless, I do not know any community leader or elected official that would not love to know and greatly appreciate Christians in their community praying for them and their family as they seek to lead and sometimes just survive in a very high-profile role.

Start here.  These are links to the elected officials in our area for more information about them and what they are working on.  Pray for them – for wisdom and understanding, for safety for them and their families, for peace amid a high-pressure and high-profile life, and of course that they will come to salvation in Jesus Christ if they do know him already (just be prepared to be sent with the message).  Then drop them an email or letter to let them know…

San Bernardino County

Rancho Cucamonga

Upland