Sabbath Thought – Pray for Leaders   

In the recorded account of the pre-flood world, we are told that the primary thought of everyone at that time “…was only evil continually.” The hatred that existed between groups of people and even individuals must have been terrible to witness. And yet, Christ warned His people that the prevailing attitudes of the end of this age would reflect (and even be worse than) the awful attitudes of that pre-flood world (Luke 17:26). The summary word I would use of the attitude that I see so prevalent in the world around us is “hatred”. We see hatred between nations, between political parties, against people or groups that don’t support and endorse a particular worldview, and even hatred against someone once loved.

In this country we see factions with deep hatred against the current president, the opposing political party, or even against laws that have stood for centuries. There is even hatred against this nation from other nations. Sadly, this type of hatred can even be seen sometimes within God’s Church. This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges within God’s church – that of not being swept up with the cares or politics of the world around us. Should we care? Should we be offended by the injustices we see? Should we strive to fix these things? Yes, we should care, we should be offended, and we should desire to see injustices made right. However, our calling is not a calling to fix this world, and certainly our calling is not to reflect the wrong characteristics and attitudes of the world around us like the hatred we see so much of.

Why is there so much hatred in the world around us? Because Satan fosters and promotes hate. In rebelling against God, Satan became filled with hate which is the spirit of murder (Matthew 5:21-22; John 8:44). He hates everything God stands for, and everything that He is. Hatred is self-centered and consequently does not care or have concern for someone else. We are actually commanded not to hate our brother (Leviticus 19:17).

Care and concern (Godly love) is the “antidote” for hatred. Godly love is outgoing concern for others. It is not trying to change them (only God can work with them to that end), and it is not wishing them harm (that is “soft hatred”). If we truly consider ourselves disciples or adherents to God’s calling and His way of life, we are to reflect and model His love (John 13:35). We must see the balance of mankind as God sees them. He desires for them to live according to His law so they have the potential to be in His family (Hebrews 2:10). God hates the attributes that lead to us becoming an enemy to Him (Proverbs 5:16-17). He hates the sin, not the sinner, because He knows sin removes us from having the relationship with Him that leads to true life (John 10:10). We know that He doesn’t hate mankind because He sent His Son to pay the death penalty for sin in our place so we can have access to eternal life (John 3:16). 

One of the things Jesus Christ encourages us to do – in part to not get swept up in attitudes like hatred – is to pray for others and for the leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Pray that God’s people would have peace and stability. Pray that the leaders that impact our life would rule with wisdom to govern justly and effectively since God is the One who allows them this authority. Pray that God would direct our various leaders according to His will and purpose (Proverbs 21:1). Pray that our efforts in preaching the Gospel would be unhindered so others would have opportunity to come to understand His truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

The world around us will only become more and more angry. Pray for those who would do us harm (Luke 6:28), and that God would protect His people. Pray to learn and develop the strength in Him that we will need when strong persecution comes against those who have God’s name (Matthew 24). Pray for one another (James 5:16). In doing these things we have a barrier against the anger and hatred of this world negatively impacting us.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 15:13).

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

7 February, 2026