In Ezra, chapter four, verse twenty-three, the “adversaries” lost no time by obtaining the decree which forbade further building and proceeded with it to Jerusalem, and by a display of force compelled the people of God who were helping to build into submission. No doubt, resistance may have occurred, but resistance would have been rebellion. As the people of the land corrupt the king by their misinformations in obtaining this order, they abuse the execution of it to prevent the building of the city and its walls. But, having power in their hands, this pretense stopped the progress. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings but for all in authority under them, because the quietness of our lives depends much on the integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates and the supreme.
The importance for believers to pray for those in authority who govern the country and significant areas that may affect our lives are priorities. Decisions in addressing topics that leaders need to put in place for the people in the province will either be godly or ungodly. Then again, it is also significant who we vote for to run the country because their character and what they stand for will surface when they become a leader. In First Samuel, chapter eight, Israel demands a king. They desired one because Samuel was getting older, and his sons were not like him. Samuel prayed to God, and in return, the response was to give them what they wanted.
The Israelites desire to have a king to rule over them. Verses four through seven tell the story, “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah. And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
The Israelites reject God as their leader and desire to have God’s creation rule over them. Like Adam and Eve, they will make wrong choices, and so will the King, and so will the leaders of today. That is why it is important for people to pray for leaders that run the country in order for them to do the will of God and be for the people. The Israelites did not pray, but Samuel did this for them. They only demand a king and reject God as their leader, which led to their ruin.