During my quiet time with the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, October 22nd, at
precisely 10 a.m. (noticing the time because I had to go to an appointment
later), the Holy Spirit spoke to me through this Scripture:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness. (NIV)
He urges us to pray for kings and all those in authority. I took the word
"kings" to mean our leaders, so immediately I wrote down the name of our
Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. I had never done this before. Little
did I know that there were shootings taking place in the parliament buildings in
our federal capital, Ottawa, at that precise time.
As I later listened to the account of the shootings, the announcer said, "The
prime minister was immediately taken to a safe place." I felt a shiver run over
my body when I heard these words, because I realized that I was instructed to
pray for him at precisely that time, and I had obeyed instantly instead of
waiting until a later time.
This Scripture, which I admit I all too often read over casually, suddenly came
alive. Once again, I felt that shiver. I had asked God to use me that day to
touch someone's life. And I believe that He did, as I prayed for the safety of
our prime minister.
As I spent some time thanking and praising God for speaking so clearly, it
dawned on me that when I had obeyed the Scripture's clear instruction that
morning, I had been given almost immediate assurance that my prayer had been
heard and answered.
How much God loves us to take time to ask Him to intervene in the affairs of
men! And how I love Him for doing so!
May I urge you to pray immediately whenever the Scripture verse you may be
reading instructs you to — and certainly to obey the instructions in today's
passage: to pray for our leaders, for their wisdom and safety.
Prayer: Thank You, our wonderful God, that we can know that You work in our
daily lives to bring about answers to our prayers. We pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sharon Greer Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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