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Key Bible Verse: O Lord our Rock, you have decreed the rise of these Babylonians to punish and correct us for our terrible sins. You are perfectly just in this (Habakkuk 1:12-13). Bonus Reading: Habakkuk 1:5-11

Leaders, especially those who are elected through a democratic process, usually reflect the spiritual and moral character of a nation. Those who obtain power through deception often come from cultures built on lies. The same holds true for materialistic or violent leaders.

Other times, God puts people in power to carry out his judgment. God referred to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar as "my deputy" (Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6) and "my servant" (43:10), whom he used to punish the people of Judah for their disobedience. Habakkuk acknowledged the same reality.

When the Ottoman Empire threatened Europe, Martin Luther declared, "The Turk is the rod of God's anger against the apostate church, so opposition to it must begin with repentance, prayer, and preaching God's Word." If a political leader's behavior or stance on issues contradicts what we believe the Bible teaches, we need to step back humbly and ask, "Is God showing us something about our spiritual state?"—and then repent of any sin he reveals.

—Paul Borthwick in Discipleship Journal

My Response: What sin should the church repent of? How should this impact my own prayers for the church?

Thought to Apply: Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or for bending His will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to His. —John Stott (British pastor)

Adapted from Discipleship Journal (11-12/05) by permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Give me confidence, patience, and tenacity, Lord, in praying for your purposes to be accomplished through our leaders.

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