We are to pray for our leaders and those in authority as 1 Timothy 2 verses 1-3 says. So do we pray for those in authority who follow evil? Fortunately verse 2 gives us a clear picture of what those in authority should follow which is Godliness and honesty for that is acceptable with God. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. (1 Timothy 2:2,3).
When evil was found in the land of Judah where they swore falsely, committed adultery, murdered and stole it was not a prophet of the Lord who warned them not to pray for those who chose evil over good, it was the Lord Himself that told them don’t even lift up a prayer to me because I won’t hear you!, and to compound the wrong this was all happening at the temple (Jeremiah 7:8-11,16,17) Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
To say we are to pray for all that have the place of authority even those with evil intent then we would be saying back in the day we must pray for Hitler or Stalin whose actions were pure evil. There was not one prayer answered by millions of Jews who I’m sure were praying for Hitlers evil deeds to end over their lives, as they were exterminated in the concentration camps. IF we fear God we do not pray for those who have BY FREE WILL chosen the evil and not the good, our prayers will not change the heart of those who have chosen evil. We would then be showing ourselves to be a people who do not fear God as we should! (Proverbs 8:13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Precious Sheep Of Renown 
Thank you for prompting this important reflection. May we continue to seek God’s wisdom and grace in all our prayers and actions.
We are called to pray for leaders with the hope that they might turn towards righteousness and justice. However, we must also recognize the need for discernment and the importance of standing firmly against evil. Our prayers should seek God’s intervention and justice, while also reflecting our commitment to His standards of holiness.
Your comment has completely explained the importance that although we do pray for our leaders, it is what they stand for (Their free will choice) which allows us to know where their heart truly is. Yes with discernment we are not taken in by their craftiness to sway us into thinking they cannot be seen as the wolf in sheep’s clothing they are.
Be Blessed in your walk Always Willie
Julia
Amen 🙏
🙂
God Bless You Sister Julia.
Scripture tells us that by their fruits, we will know them. This means we should carefully observe their words and deeds to see if they align with God’s Word.
The Apostle Paul also spoke about the need to expose deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11) and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14)
Another thing to consider is that we pray because we know that God is able to change even the hardest of hearts, and we trust Him with the outcome.
Amen 🙏
I agree God can most certainly change the hardest of heart’s. We are to be a light that shines in the darkness! As written “Can two walk together lest they be agreed? If we pray for the people who have shone they agree with the darkness and evil deeds like murder, abortion and such we are saying we are in agreement with their choices. Generally pray for all and be not in agreement with the darkness as we are children of light.
🙂 Be Blessed
Amen
Yes, we must stand firmly against evil; yes, we should pray against the principalities and powers of darkness; yes, we should pray and seek YAHWEH’S intervention and justice; and above all we must live up to HIS standards and obey HIS WORD.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44.
In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said. “People cannot save themselves. But with God, all things are possible.”
Be blessed!
JL
Matthew 19:26 The disciples asked who then can be saved? Because the world thinks as the disciples did here that if one is rich with the worlds goods surely they are blessed and are heading to heaven, but Psalm 49 teaches us otherwise. This is not teaching about praying???? The young rich man was told All things are possible with God., because that is where his help is.
Matthew 5:43,44 is addressing our enemies on a personal level. 10 times do these two passages address us personally, and is directed at how we are to love and forgive our enemies which we do, this is not speaking on a world level and it’s choices as in presidential elections etc.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
As a Christian we are to make a separation of the world’s choices which we once served and have a personal relationship with Christ. Your view is that we are to pray for everyone no matter if they stand for abortion, rape, murder and scripture teaches we do not become involved of the affairs of this life, for we are called from it. Even Yahshua Himself as He prayed to the Father said He is not of the world and did not pray for the world, but for those who He was given that are not “Of the world” (John 17:9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. If you are praying for those who have an evil agenda, then you are still in the world and are not separated by the spirit of truth.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ( 2 Timothy 2:1-4).
Blessings
Julia
Amen 🙏🤗
I have been following Mt. 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” and have been praying for the conversion of our leaders … not that God will bless them in sin but that He will give them the graces so they can turn their hearts to Him for their sake, for our sake and the sake of our country.
Yes very well said Becky! We are to pray for our leaders. No one knows the heart’s and minds of men more than God who made us, and may those who are for unrighteousness come to know the truth to make the change the world needs so desperately.
Many Blessings
Julia