November 3, 2012
LEADERSHIP AND JUDGMENT
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
—2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
I remember the day, more than 30 years ago, when I had to stand before a judge to hear his judgment. At issue was an argument over whether I lived in the right district to run for a particular elective office. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, I still felt anxious. No one likes to hear judgment passed on them. (By the way, I won that case.) We don't like to think about judgment. But Scripture is explicit that every person on the planet will stand before Christ to be judged. Though our salvation is dependent upon whether Christ is our Savior and Lord, our actions as individuals in life certainly factor into things eternally in a way that we don't fully comprehend.
How does knowing this fact change the way you pray for governmental leaders and those in authority when you recognize that they, too, must stand before the judgment seat of Christ? We are not called to be accusers but intercessors. The picture of the judgment seat of Christ should drive us to our knees in passionate prayer for our nation's leaders.
- Thank the Lord for paying the price for your redemption.
- Pray for the salvation of local and national government leaders.
DAILY PRAYER
Father, I know that You are the ultimate Judge over all mankind and that You have turned judgment over to Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Thank You, Lord, that I face judgment without fear because of Your love for me that brought me into Your family and forgave all of my sins. But, Lord, I fear for the many who do not know You and face a fearful judgment. Help me to pray for those who so desperately need You.
PRAY DAILY FOR THESE U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:
Vice President Joe Biden
Attorney General Eric Holder
Chief Justice John Roberts
Justice Samuel Alito
Justice Anthony Kennedy
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Justice Stephen Breyer
Justice Antonin Scalia
Justice Clarence Thomas
U.S. REPRESENTATIVES:
Mike Thompson
Mac Thornberry
Patrick J. Tiberi
John F. Tierney
Scott R. Tipton
Edolphus Towns
Niki Tsongas
Michael R. Turner
Robert L. Turner
U.S. SENATORS:
Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA)