People in High Places
Posted on: September 28, 2015
- In: Everyday Life | Faith | Prayer
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With a federal election campaign under way, the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 are timely:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectable in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
When we make time to pray, our leaders may not be the first ones that come to mind. Maybe we’re so focussed on the needs of our family and friends and our community, as well as our own concerns, that we just don’t think about those in authority. But notice how the stress of governing turns the hair of these men and women from blond, brown or red to grey or white.
From the newest backbench member of Parliament to the longest-serving politician, from party leaders to the prime minister, all are in need of our prayers for guidance, wisdom and strength.
They’re considering the needs of their constituents along with the goals of their party, as well as handling any family commitments they may have. And doing so on what may be a very public stage, given our 24/7, quick-as-a-blink news coverage and society’s long memory when it comes to embarrassing incidents and scandals. Not to mention the importance of the issues they deal with each day: health care, education, environmental protection, economic growth, immigration and refugee issues, the public service, euthanasia, the need to heal the scars of the residential school system, and so on.
Rolls of blank, uncut Voter Information Cards (Elections Canada).
When we stop to pray for the leaders of our ministry groups, our parish and diocese, and the Catholic Church, we could take a moment to pray for our elected representatives at the municipal and provincial levels and our federal candidates (see the Elections Canada website) so that our leaders—and, through their decisions, our society—would be shaped by God’s values.
A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 