Praying for Nero

Too often Christians refuse to pray for their president and government authorities because they abhor politics and label them ungodly. But let's be reminded of Paul's words regarding our duty toward political leaders:

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." (I Timothy 2:1-3 NKJV)

Before we excuse ourselves from this command believing our rulers are far too ungodly to be blessed with our intercession, let's remember whom Paul was praying for, the Roman Emperor Nero. He was a ruthless and terrible leader. One author said Nero was "one of the most despicable manifestations of human flesh ever to disgrace this planet."

Not only did Nero ravage the nation he led, he despised Christians and turned Rome against them. In A.D. 64, a terrible fire broke out in Rome. It was strongly believed that Nero deliberately torched the city in order to justify building a more splendid one. To deflect the accusations, Nero slandered and accused the Christians of doing it. He then ordered the arrest of all Christ followers and had them publicly tortured and murdered in the most horrible of ways.

Besides being put to death they were made objects of amusement; they were clothed in the hides of beasts and torn to death by dogs, others were crucified, and others set on fire to light up the night. At times, Nero himself would mount his chariot and drive over the Christians, crushing them alive as if to be a conquering hero.

This is the context under which Paul exhorted "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority..." Paul's prayer was for Nero and his cohorts who were godless men ruining Rome, murdering Christians and devouring their goods.

It would take another two and a half centuries, but God did finally answer those prayers with a ruler named Constantine. He would convert to Christ and legalize Christianity and lay a foundation for the global advancement of the gospel.

Praying for our leaders is the duty of every Christ follower. We don't have to agree with them, support them, vote for them, or defend them; but we do have to pray for them. And when we do, we have this promise from God's Word,

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

Gregg Johnson