Many have anxiously waited for this time when the political ads have ceased.

The races are over and those elected are preparing to begin the new term.

This is when the work begins for those of us who want to see our government work effectively and efficiently for the people.
To see government at its best, we the people need to be praying for our elected leaders.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy would encourage (NKJV exhort and NLT urge) the readers to pray for those in authority.

Elected leaders have a great responsibility to the citizens they are leading.

The goal in praying for those in authority according to this scripture in 1 Timothy is we may lead quiet and peaceable lives. These are not boring lives but lives allowed to blossom in the fertile soil of freedom.

To lead quiet and peaceable lives, it is important to pray for those elected leaders’ decision-making abilities and their moral character.

If either of these areas is deficient, we will suffer as a community.

Decision-making should be informed by moral character so we do what is right rather than what is expedient for political purposes.

Doing what is right requires a “backbone” strong enough to handle criticism (justified or not). All leaders experience criticism and need to be able to brush aside the unjust and learn from the justified criticism.

I pray for our elected leaders to live peaceably as much as lies within them as Romans 12:18 asks of everyone.

Things have been said and “buttons” have been pushed on the campaign trail and now there needs to be some healing of the soul so true peace can abide in our land.

Differences have to be laid aside and work done for the good of all so our community can live up to its potential.

In praying for our elected officials, we are seeking the good of the city in which you live as Israel is commanded in Jeremiah 29:7.

At that time, Israel had been carried away into a different land and longed for what used to be.

God instructed them to look out for the times they were living in at the present.

Too often we could get caught up in the past and not focus enough attention on the present. As a Christian, I believe as 1 Peter declares: all authority is in position because of God, and therefore, I am to seek the welfare of the current authority over me.

I believe praying for those in elected leadership brings unity and unity brings a blessing. As our state motto says, “United we stand, Divided we fall.”

As a citizen, I pray we bring a blessing of prayer upon those in elected leadership, and in return, we will have the blessing of good government.

It is time for us to bless and curse not that which has been brought to pass in the election process.

I am part of a group of pastors who pray together each Tuesday morning for our elected officials in this community. We hope we can have the most effective and efficient government possible and so we pray for those in authority to be blessed.

David Douglas is the senior pastor at Church of God Cathedral located at 3313 Lexington Road. He has been the senior pastor since September 2000. He can be reached at ddouglas1950@gmail.com.