Praying for leaders

The psalm that we are considering today is a different style to those we have come across thus far. The previous psalms have been very personal written in first person singular, now we come to a song that is written in plural for the most part. Its form is a song to be sung over/to a king rather than a personal response of an individual. 

Psalm 20:1–9 (ESV):  

1  May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! 

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 

2  May he send you help from the sanctuary 

and give you support from Zion! 

3  May he remember all your offerings 

and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices! Selah 

4  May he grant you your heart’s desire 

and fulfil all your plans! 

5  May we shout for joy over your salvation, 

and in the name of our God set up our banners! 

May the Lord fulfil all your petitions! 

6  Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; 

he will answer him from his holy heaven 

with the saving might of his right hand. 

7  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

8  They collapse and fall, 

but we rise and stand upright. 

9  O Lord, save the king! 

May he answer us when we call. 

What a way to pray for leaders! That God may; answer them when they have trouble, protect them, help and support them, remember their goodness, complete their plans and satisfy their hearts - what more could a person want from life?! Praying for our leaders to be blessed and be successful will make their job easier, and lives more restful. 

This psalm was created to be sung by the people of Israel over their king, most likely in the time of David as he was about to lead the army into battle. Can you imagine how that would affect both the king, the army and the nation? A song that inspires, reminds, calls to faith the leader of the country and demonstrates the support all people - what a powerful, inspiring and motivating song that must have been to hear! The confidence that the people of Israel have in their king is inspired by the confidence they have in their God. They know God will answer and be present with their king because God ordained him and so God will work through his life. Do you know that the same is true for the leaders you know?  Even the leaders you dislike and disagree with, God has a purpose for the season of their authority. Will you pray for them? It pleases God when you do, and it will do you and others good. 

In the New Testament Timothy writes, ‘I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour’ (1Timothy 2:1-3). Timothy and the writer of this psalm see the real, tangible benefit of praying and supporting those in leadership. It can be hard to do when we see those in power who are ungodly, wicked or foolish, but should that not inspire you to pray even more? How much more of a miraculous breakthrough would it be for such a person to become a spirit-led, gracious, supportive and cohesive leader?! 

I hope this psalm inspires you to pray for your leaders. Imagine the joy it would be to serve a people that pray for you in this manner. To know that in whatever circumstance you face, people are praying that God might intervene, in trouble and triumph and even to meet the hidden internal needs and desires of their hearts. What a privilege it would be to lead if people were to pray/sing this psalm over the leaders they know today. I can imagine the confidence, hope, security and trust this would build in any person in charge that this would have been sung to. How encouraging and inspiring to have people trusting and hoping in a leader but moreover in God that they would respond with this psalm. Do you pray like this for your leaders? It may be a; manager, boss, president, king, queen, religious leader, mentor, chief, politician, trainer, officer, or any other role that holds responsibility. Will you cast concerns and frustrations aside and pray as this psalm does? As someone who has a greater faith in God than in man can you ask God to intervene, lead and guide those in authority to be successful and bring change and joy to the people of God?  If you don’t do it, who will? 

‘is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour’ and He may well, ‘answer us when we call’.