As believers, we need to pause and recognize what is happening in our nation. President Donald Trump has openly called the country to prayer and has declared a re-dedication of America back to God on May 17th on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. That should move us to pray, not argue.
Scripture says: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
Notice it doesn’t say only the leaders you personally like, agree with, or fully understand. We are commanded to pray for those in authority because God works through leadership to bring order, restraint, and alignment.
Some believers refuse to pray for President Trump because they question his salvation or his motives. But Scripture addresses this too. Paul wrote that even when Christ was preached from mixed or selfish motives, he still rejoiced because the gospel was advancing:
“Whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)
The issue is not whether a leader is perfect — it’s whether God is using them. Jesus Himself said:
“Whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40)
And He also made this spiritual truth unmistakably clear: “A house divided against itself cannot stand… Satan cannot cast out Satan.” (Mark 3:24–26)
Think about that carefully. A leader cannot be actively confronting evil, restraining darkness, calling a nation to prayer, and pointing people back to God by the power of the devil. Darkness does not cast out darkness. Evil does not war against itself. God may use vessels that don’t fit our expectations—sometimes when they don’t even fully understand what He’s doing through them.
Throughout Scripture, God used imperfect, unlikely, even resistant leaders to accomplish His purposes. What mattered was not their polish, but God’s power working through them. So instead of withholding prayer, criticizing from the sidelines, or demanding perfection before intercession, the Church should be doing what it has always been called to do:
Pray, intercede, ask God for wisdom, protection, repentance, and courage for our leaders, and thank God that His name is being lifted publicly again.
If a leader is calling the nation back to God, the response of believers should not be suspicion—it should be prayer.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12)
