praying for the nations...

first of all, then, i urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 timothy 2:1-4

these verses have really been on my heart this week. school has started back up, which means that we're back into the tuesday morning before school at tim horton's thing with myself and some students. last school year, we got into the habit of praying for the country of pakistan - being updated by missionary friends that we know there. it was my prayer that the prayer time together would help the students to grow in their prayer life AND to get a bigger view of the world.

it is so often easy to get self-centered and narrow minded. this was definitely reinforced to me by a pastor friend from zambia who emailed me last week. zambia's president died of a stroke last week, and i had heard nothing of it from u.s. news sources! they must now hold elections within 90 days.

so i'm praying for pakistan - as they replace musharref, zambia - as they look to elect a replacement for mwanawasa, zimbabwe - as election turmoil and suffering continues surrounding mugabe, and the united states as we prepare for the november elections. (and for iraq, afghanistan, iran, georgia, russia, sudan, etc.)

i am prompted by God's command to pray for these leaders. (pleasing God is a good thing ;)) i am encouraged that "there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (rom. 13:1) i am expectant that this is all "for the sake of His name among the nations." (rom. 1:3)

after this i looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" revelation 7:9-10

p.s. a good reminder quote for those of us voting u.s. citizens: "and ye, o peoples, to whom God gave the liberty to choose your own magistrates, see to it, that ye do not forfeit this favor by electing to positions of highest honor, rascals and enemies of God." j. calvin