Prayer for those in authority is both a privilege and a duty.

为执政掌权者祷告，既是特权也是责任。

I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1

我劝你……要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢。-提摩太前书2章1节

A women’s prayer group in my country holds regular monthly prayer sessions for Ghana and other African countries. When asked why they pray so incessantly for the nations, their leader, Gifty Dadzie, remarked, “Look around, listen to and watch the news. Our nations are hurting: war, disaster, diseases, and violence threaten to overshadow God’s love for humanity and His blessing upon us. We believe God intervenes in the affairs of nations, so we praise Him for His blessings and cry for His intervention.”

我的祖国迦纳有个妇女祷告会，每个月都为迦纳与其他非洲国家祷告。有人问她们为何如此迫切地为万国祷告时，她们的带领人吉芙蒂·达德兹（Gifty Dadzie）说道：“环顾四周，或从报章新闻都让我们看到，我们的世界饱受战争、灾难、疾病与暴力的痛苦，让人看不见上帝对世人的爱，以及祂所赐的福分。但我们相信上帝在万国掌权，所以我们称谢祂的赐福，并呼求祂亲自介入其中。”

The Bible reveals that God indeed intervenes in the affairs of nations (2 Chron. 7:14). And when God intervenes, He uses ordinary people. We may not be assigned huge tasks, but we can play our part to help bring about peace and the righteousness that exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34). We can do that through prayer. The apostle Paul wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

圣经也记载，上帝确实会干涉地上万国的事务(历代志下7章14节) 。当上帝介入之时，祂会使用平凡的人。或许我们不会担负重责大任，但我们可以尽一己之力，带出和平及公义，使邦国被高举(箴言14章34节) 。我们可以为国家和万民祷告，正如使徒保罗写道：“我劝你第一要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢，为君王和一切在位的，也该如此，使我们可以敬虔、端正，平安无事地度日。”(提摩太前书2章1-2节)

As the psalmist exhorted the ancient Israelites to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6), so may we pray for the peace and healing of our nations. When we pray in humility, turn from wickedness, and seek God, He hears us.

诗人呼吁古时的以色列百姓，“要为耶路撒冷求平安” (诗篇122篇6节) ，让我们也为万国的平安与医治祈求。当我们谦卑祷告，转离恶行、寻求上帝，祂必垂听。

Lord, we pray today for the peace of our nations. We ask for Your intervention as we turn to You in confession and repentance. We praise You for Your blessing and Your provision.

主啊，我们要为我们的国家求平安！
我们要认罪、悔改，归向祢，
恳求祢介入我们当中。
我们满心称颂祢的赐福，并祢丰富的供应！

Psalm 122:6-9New International Version (NIV)

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.

整理：于姊妹