Christians: "Hating" or "disliking" political leaders

[jonny]

A lof of people have a good reason for hating or disliking our country's leaders. Some resort to calling them names ('Shrub' or 'Dingy Harry Reid', for example). Others have hate for one party or the other and the party leadership.

For those who hold "hard feelings" towards any leaders of our country, I have a couple of questions. First, do you pray for them? Second, do you believe you can pray for someone and not grow to love them (no matter how frustrated you are). Third, do you believe that politicans that we hold hard feelings towards fall under what Christ called our "enemies" and if so, are we not commanded to "love them", "pray for them", do "good unto them", serve them, and look at them as we would a brother? Fourth, do you believe that when you grow to love someone that you speak differently about them?

This discussion is a result of a wake-up call that I had today in church. We are studying the teachings of one of our prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, and the topic today was prayer. President Kimball said, "We can pray for our leaders. Paul wrote: 'I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority.' (1 Tim. 2:1-2). We will develop loyalty to country and the laws that govern us if we pray."

I believe we will also develop love for our leaders - both those that we agree with and those who we disagree with - if we make it a habit to pray for them.

 

[MaddLlama]

Pray for them how? Pray that they see the error of their ways and agree with the position of the person that's praying for them?

 

[jonny]

Pray for them how? Pray that they see the error of their ways and agree with the position of the person that's praying for them?

I'm not going to tell you how to pray or what to pray for. That's between you and God. I'm just trying to apply the commandments and teachings of Christ to an area that I, and many other Christians, have an obvious problem in living what is preached.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Pray for them how? Pray that they see the error of their ways and agree with the position of the person that's praying for them?

Perhaps pray for understanding?

Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference between the two.

 

[jonny]

Perhaps pray for understanding?

Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference between the two.

That's a good start, but you're praying for yourself - not "your enemies."

 

[MaddLlama]

I'm just curious. Because, most of the time when I hear people respond to disagreements with "pray for them" or "I'll pray for you", it's not meant in a nice way. So, I'm just interested in knowing what would you pray for a politician that disagrees with you? Are you praying about their positions or their personal life?

 

[jonny]

I'm just curious. Because, most of the time when I hear people respond to disagreements with "pray for them" or "I'll pray for you", it's not meant in a nice way. So, I'm just interested in knowing what would you pray for a politician that disagrees with you? Are you praying about their positions or their personal life?

You might pray that they will be led to make the right decisions, for example.

 

[MaddLlama]

You might pray that they will be led to make the right decisions, for example.

But, what is "the right decision"? Isn't that really the same thing as praying they see your side of things, especially if you believe their position is contrary to God's position?

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Just as a general reminder, this is in the 'same faith debates' section. If you don't think of yourself as that faith (in this case, Christian), please post in another thread! Thanks!

 

[sandy whitelinger]

A lof of people have a good reason for hating or disliking our country's leaders. Some resort to calling them names ('Shrub' or 'Dingy Harry Reid', for example). Others have hate for one party or the other and the party leadership.

For those who hold "hard feelings" towards any leaders of our country, I have a couple of questions. First, do you pray for them? Second, do you believe you can pray for someone and not grow to love them (no matter how frustrated you are). Third, do you believe that politicans that we hold hard feelings towards fall under what Christ called our "enemies" and if so, are we not commanded to "love them", "pray for them", do "good unto them", serve them, and look at them as we would a brother? Fourth, do you believe that when you grow to love someone that you speak differently about them?

This discussion is a result of a wake-up call that I had today in church. We are studying the teachings of one of our prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, and the topic today was prayer. President Kimball said, "We can pray for our leaders. Paul wrote: 'I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority.' (1 Tim. 2:1-2). We will develop loyalty to country and the laws that govern us if we pray."

I believe we will also develop love for our leaders - both those that we agree with and those who we disagree with - if we make it a habit to pray for them.

It is certainly not unscriptural to pray for an enemies just rewards.

 

[Colabomb]

Throughout Anglican History, it has been part of our Liturgy to pray for the leaders of our nation.

That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants,
the President of the United States (=or= of this nation), and all
others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy,
and walk in the ways of truth,
=We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.=

 

[love]

Hate is a strong word for a people who have a choice. Why don't you ask the question to someone who doesn't have a choice? Is it because they are so oppressed they don't have a choice and could not speak out if they wanted to? Hate is too strong a word, and is not the same as disagreement. Hate is manifesting itself around the world but it is not prevalent in American society.

 

[love]

Christian and hate is not in the teachings of Christ.

 

[jonny]

Hate is a strong word for a people who have a choice. Why don't you ask the question to someone who doesn't have a choice? Is it because they are so oppressed they don't have a choice and could not speak out if they wanted to? Hate is too strong a word, and is not the same as disagreement. Hate is manifesting itself around the world but it is not prevalent in American society.

Hate manifests itself all over the world and is very prevalent in American society - especially in regards to politics.

 

[love]

At least we aren't blowing each other to bloody pulps in the Wynn Dixie and chanting how great God is.

 

[love]

At least we aren't blowing each other to bloody pulps in the Wynn Dixie and chanting how great God is.

Things like that could certainly take our minds off environmental issues, humans rights, freedom and justice for all.

 

[RevOxley_501]

the things i pray regarding Bush and the government of this country are very likely not allowed to be spoken of here.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I pray daily that Shrub repents of being a liar and a war monger. While I expect miracles to happen any day now, in the interim I feel a need to show what a brood of vipers we have in the White House. They white wash the outside of the house, but inwardly they are open sepulchres.

 

[lunamoth]

Throughout Anglican History, it has been part of our Liturgy to pray for the leaders of our nation.

That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants,
the President of the United States (=or= of this nation), and all
others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy,
and walk in the ways of truth,
=We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.=

Thank you for pointing that out Colabomb, and welcome to the forum.

I certainly do think it's appropriate to pray for all of our leaders whether we agree with them or not, perhaps especially when we disagree with them. We can pray for all of our leaders to be influenced by God's love, to let the Spirit accomplish His work through them, and for them to be rightly guided. I figure God knows better what that's going to look like than I do! Not to say I turn off my brain and hope for the best. Part of the work of the Spirit is to be an informed member of my community and do my best to select and support good governance.

Likewise we are to pray for our enemies and the leaders of nations that oppose or attack us, for Osama bin Laden, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong il, etc., that all may do God's will on earth.