无论你持何种政治立场,作为基督徒,我们都当为掌权者祷告:
我劝你第一要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢;为君王和一切在位的,也该如此,使我们可以敬虔、端正、平安无事地度日。这是好的,在神我们救主面前可蒙悦纳。他愿意万人得救,明白真道。
—— 提摩太前书 2:1-4
使徒保罗写信给他的门徒提摩太,也借此劝勉所有信徒:要为万人祈求、祷告、代求、感恩,尤其要为那些掌权者 —— 君王与在位的人祷告。
这一对掌权者祷告的吩咐,意义非凡。
早期基督徒曾遭受罗马当局严酷逼迫,在那样的环境下为罗马掌权者祷告,需要极大的信心。与初代教会,以及今日世界各地仍因信仰遭受逼迫的弟兄姐妹不同,我并不会因信仰或政治观点面临监禁、失业甚至生命危险。
以怜悯与谦卑祷告
为掌权者祷告,不只是建议,而是命令。
祷告是化解党派纷争、轻视与对立的有力武器,也能为掌权者留出谦卑与怜悯的空间。在动荡不安的时刻,我们的祷告能带来平安与鼓励,提醒我们:神仍掌权(诗篇 125:2),我们当信靠祂的计划。
该如何为掌权者祷告?
我发现,当我不知如何为某位掌权者祷告,尤其是为那些我并不喜欢、也不信任的人祷告时,长老会出版的《公共崇拜圣书》是极好的资源。有时,阅读他人预备的祷文,能帮助我们整理自己的心思。
为国家领袖祷告
主啊,祢的荣耀遍满全地。
我们将国家交托祢的怜悯看顾,
使我们得享平安稳妥,
被祢的眷顾引导。
求祢赐给所有掌权者智慧与力量,
使他们明白并遵行祢的旨意。
帮助他们谨记:
蒙召是为服侍众人,
作真理与公义的守护者。
Oh Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and may be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and do it. Help them remember that they are called to serve people as lovers of truth and justice.
为州与地方政府祷告
至高的神,
求祢赐福给在本州 / 本市 / 本镇任职的官员,
使他们以智慧、慈爱与公义履行职责,
善用权柄,忠心服侍,
促进众人的福祉。
Almighty God, bless those who hold office in the government of this state/city/town, that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, kindness, and justice. Help them use their authority to serve faithfully and promote the general welfare.
选举期间祷告
伟大的神,
我们活在祢的法则之下,
顺服祢的旨意治理自己。
求祢帮助我们作良善的公民,
尊重与我们观点不同的邻舍,
不被党派怒气裹挟,
化解分歧,
使候选人都能为公共福祉服侍。
Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views are different from ours, so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us, and they let candidates serve the common welfare.
国家危难时祷告
万古之神,
在祢眼前,列国兴衰,历经艰险。
如今当我们的土地陷入困境,
求祢就近施行审判与拯救。
愿领袖被祢的智慧引导,
寻求祢的旨意,看得清晰。
倘若我们偏离了祢的道路,
求祢帮助我们回转悔改。
求祢以亮光与真理引导我们,
靠着耶稣基督,
祂是世界之主,我们的救主。
阿们。
God of Ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, help us reverse our ways and repent. Give us your light and your truth to guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior, Amen.
当你为掌权者恳求、祷告、代求、感恩时,
愿你以谦卑的心祷告,
并确信:
神永远是万王之王。
英文原文:Praying for Political Leaders
by Emily Vanden Heuvel
As election season looms, political ads are popping up everywhere. Just yesterday someone stopped at my house, armed with eye-catching flyers, and delivered a passionate speech about why I should vote for their particular candidate. It’s hard to escape the political buzz, and while it seems to be everywhere, politics never comes up in my everyday conversations. The mere hint or mention of politics can feel too emotional and too controversial. Most people I know steer clear of political discussions because of how easily they can turn into heated arguments. It’s difficult to find common ground these days; one side wants to convince the other that they have the correct answer and that the other side is ignorant and misguided.
Praying for Leaders
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, as Christians, we must pray for our leaders:
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
The Apostle Paul is writing to his protege, Timothy, and by extension, all believers, to offer petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people but in particular, for those in charge: kings and authority figures. This call to pray for leaders is significant, because early Christians faced severe persecution under the Roman authorities. For Christians to pray for the Roman leaders took a strong act of faith. Unlike those early Christians, or our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world today who do face persecution for their faith, I’m not at risk of going to prison, or losing my job or my life, for either my faith or my political views.
Praying with Compassion and Humility
Praying for our leaders isn’t just a suggestion, it is a command. Prayer is a powerful tool for managing division and disdain toward a political party or leader, and creating space for humility and compassion for those in leadership. In uncertain or stressful times, our prayers can offer peace and encouragement, reminding us that God is still in control (Psalm 125:2) and we should trust in his plan.
How do we pray for those in leadership?
How should we pray for those in leadership? I have found The Book of Common Worship, published by the Presbyterian Church, is an excellent resource when I don’t have the creativity to know what to pray for particular leaders, especially those I may not like or trust.Sometimes reading the prayers that others have prepared can help me formulate my own thoughts.
Praying for Government Leaders
Oh Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and may be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and do it. Help them remember that they are called to serve people as lovers of truth and justice.
Praying for State and Local Governments
Almighty God, bless those who hold office in the government of this state/city/town, that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, kindness, and justice. Help them use their authority to serve faithfully and promote the general welfare.
Praying at the Time of Election
Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views are different from ours, so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us, and they let candidates serve the common welfare.
Praying During a National Crisis
God of Ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, help us reverse our ways and repent. Give us your light and your truth to guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior, Amen. (p. 818)
As you offer petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for your leaders, may you pray with humility and know that God is still the King of kings.
来源
https://prayer.reframeministries.org/blog/praying-for-political-leaders