“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
—Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
We often forget that it was the politics of His day that were the immediate cause of Jesus’ death. The Roman occupation of Israel, coupled with the jockeying for power among several Jewish sects, created a tension that simply couldn’t allow for a popular miracle-working preacher who offended all of the powers that were present. Much of Jesus’ teaching dealt with how to live in such a politically tense situation.
As we look at Hebrews 12:2, we are reminded how hard it was for Jesus as He struggled with the political system of His day. It led to a cross. We can’t assume that just because we pray for our nation everything will immediately get better and we’ll all live happily ever after. The truth is, though our prayers can and do make a difference, we must still pay a price.
- Fix your eyes on Jesus and thank Him for enduring the cross on our behalf.
- Ask the Lord to show you how to pray for our nation—especially a political system that seems increasingly ineffective.
DAILY PRAYER
Thank You for enduring the cross on my behalf. Father, we pray for unity in our country’s politics and that our government officials will align themselves with Your word.
PRAY DAILY FOR THESE U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:
Vice President Joe Biden
Attorney General Eric Holder
Chief Justice John Roberts
Justice Samuel Alito
Justice Anthony Kennedy
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Justice Stephen Breyer
Justice Antonin Scalia
Justice Clarence Thomas
