I’ve been praying a lot lately for our great Nation, and that brings us to First Timothy 2:1-2 where God tells us to pray for those in authority (that means everyone at every level who governs), so we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Then verse 8 gives us instructions that our prayers are to be with lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Of course wrath would mean without anger, but it can also mean wrong desires and motives. James 1:20 tells us that the wrath (anger) of man works not the righteousness of God. We need to be sure our heart is pure before God and our prayers have His same desires. The Bible does talk about God’s wrath but His wrath (judgment) is based on righteousness, justice and holy motives (Psalm 9:8).

Doubting is not believing His Word. Doubt is the opposite of faith. We must have faith in God’s Word to pray His Word rightly. Everything we receive from God comes through our faith – our faith in His promises.

If we pray with wrong motives or desires, James 4:3 says that is praying “amiss” which means not quite right, inappropriate, or out of place; and not being in accordance with right order, which means not in agreement with God’s Word, and in faith.

Yes, everyone wants a quiet, godly, and peaceful life; and Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. (MEV) We need to pray for the unbelieving leaders to come to the saving knowledge of Salvation in Jesus; and pray for the Christian leaders to walk worthy of their calling in the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 4:1 and Colossians 1:10) so our government will be leading this Country righteously according to and in agreement with the Word of God. Our Father’s heart should be at the center of our prayers. Matthew 18:14 says that the will of the Father is that no one should perish.

The challenge for you and me is to monitor our prayer words to line up with the Word of God so He can answer our prayers, bless our Country, and so we can live in peace and righteousness.