Gospel-centric prayer for Pope’s leadership and influence
Kyle Norman
Bible Reading:
“First of all, I urge that Kings, prayers, prayers, intersessions, Thanksgiving, for all people, kings, and everyone in high positions, we can live a respectful, dignified, peaceful and quiet life in every way.” -1TIMOTHY 2:1-2
Listen or read:
Pope’s ministry is so profiled that it is undoubtedly susceptible to seduction and spiritual threats. There may be a desire to recreate the church with its own image. There may be temptation to be closed off from the spiritual lead or to fail to live a ministry in humility and grace. Like all pastors in a human-bound institution, there may be a temptation to care more about the institutional structure of the Church than the mission of the Church, the people of God, or the way of Jesus.
These temptations are prevalent in every pastor’s life, but are more profound for Pope Leo XIV, which means that the people of Jesus (regardless of their sect) are called to pray. The Bible specifically commands us to pray for those in leadership. In 1 Timothy, Paul writes that we are to intercede for all people in high positions. Of course, it should be noted that the call to pray does not mean a call to agree. This is the beauty of prayer. We can pray for someone and we don’t agree with them. So praying for the Pope doesn’t mean that we need to accept the Pope’s unrequited falls or Roman Catholic doctrines.
Praying is to take someone to Jesus and lift their names before our ultimate king and head. Therefore, praying for the Pope is praying that Jesus surrounds him with His graceful power. To pray for the Pope, heal Jesus where he needs healing, lead him where he needs guidance, protect him where he needs protection, forgive him where he needs forgiveness.
Whether you agree with the structure of the Pope, is it great to have a Pope passionately dedicated to Jesus? Isn’t it great to have a Pope in line with the voice of the Holy Spirit? Isn’t it great that Jesus has a Pope, the dense being of all his life?
If so, pray for it! Because if we remove all the influence of the office, all the fines of the robes, and the luxuries of the Pope Mobile and Vatican, Pope Leo XIV is nothing more than a person who needs the help of the ministry. So let’s pray for him. Pray with love, faith and boldness.
Let’s pray:
Almighty God, I bow before you on behalf of Cardinal Robert Prevost today. Lord, your words remind us that you will enact all people of authority. And somewhere, in a way of identification and selection, your presence must have been working in choosing this new Pope.
Lord, I pray that you will surround this man with the creatures that give you holy life. May your spirit brighten up all his days and lighten him all night. May you instill in him a spirit of prayer dependence in you, so that you can sanctify his ministry. May his heart approach Jesus. When he reads the Bible, Lord, open his heart and heart to understand the words that convey your life.
Lord, give Pope Leo XIV the boldness to declare the gospel of this world in everything. Give him the faith necessary to lead the Roman Catholic Church, direct it to where it is wrong, reform it to where it is uncomfortable, heal it where it is hurt, and direct it to where it is hurt, and reform it to where it is to strengthen it with the truth.
I pray for all these things for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May his name be praised forever. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Alberto Pizzoli/Contributor
Pastor Kyle Norman is the president of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops, Canada. He holds a PhD in Spiritual Formation and is a popular author, speaker and retreat leader. His writings can be found at Christianity.com, Crosswalk.com, Ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada and more. He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of idyllic experience and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual disappointment.
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Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
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