Why should we pray for a corrupt ruler?
Question:
Christians say that God's word says to pray for those in authority. What is the truth about praying for a leader who is against God's word? A leader who is a liar. Who makes fun of the Bible? Who is haughty and greedy. A killer and a homosexual who is leading a nation to ruin? A leader who makes fun of Jesus and the sermon on the mount? Please show me the scripture that I should pray for this evil.
Answer:
"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, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:1-4).
At the time Paul wrote this, Nero was in power in Rome. Nero was an idolator, an adulterer, a murderer (including his own mother), and tortured Christians. Prayers for the government were not in support of the evils the government was committing, but that government does its proper job of maintaining peace and upholding morality.
