Answer: 1 Timothy 2: 1, 2: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

As Christians, in this world, but not of it, we are subject to the “powers that be” (1 Corinthians 7: 31) (Romans 13: 1). We are obliged to live honestly, as good citizens, and to appreciate whatever blessings of liberty and prosperity we receive as citizens.

The Lord’s Prayer

In our Lord’s model prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13), Jesus omits any mention of the authorities of His day. In fact, in none of Jesus’ recorded prayers did He pray for Caesar, Pilate, or Herod. Jesus’ specific mission was to seek out His sheep, the meek of the earth, who were generally of the lowly or peasant class, an activity for which He was condemned by the elite. Isaiah’s prophecy says of Him (Isaiah 61: 1) (Luke 4: 18): “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.” Throughout history God has been calling out and developing His people amidst the secular affairs going on around them. This work has been largely invisible and is reflected in the Lord’s Prayer. Setting earth’s affairs right will come later when Christ, with His glorified saints, will reign as earth’s King (Matt. 25: 31, 32). For most of earth’s history, God has permitted secular rulers to govern affairs, occasionally subjugating His own people – natural and spiritual Israel, to their authority. God’s kingdom is not of this world but is yet to come (John 18: 36). The enormous task of world conversion will take place during the Millennial Age, when God, through Christ, sets up His Kingdom for the blessing of all, rulers and the ruled.

The Christian to be Subject  

Though the Lord’s people are at heart subject to Christ as their Master, as inhabitants of this world they are to put themselves in subjection to the “powers that be” (Romans 13: 1), and to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mark 12: 17). However, this does not imply that we pray for the unregenerate to be continued in power. The simple prayer, “Thy kingdom come,” expresses the Christian hope. With no malice or rebellious thought toward the governing authorities, the Christian nonetheless looks for “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3: 13). The present order of affairs is in the Scriptures referred to as “this present evil world” (Galatians 1: 4). As such, it is an outgrowth of the rule of Satan, the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4: 3, 4). This is not to say that all heads of state, presidents, or monarchs are Satan’s tools. But this world does not and cannot operate according to God’s rules. No matter how benign, secular governments are not in the business of promoting God’s agenda.

‍