Topic: Positive prayers and posi
On June 12, there will be a presidential election in Iran. The two main contenders are current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Prime Minister (during the 1980s) Mir Hossein Mousavi. Both are fully committed to the Islamic Revolution (as is anyone who is allowed a voice in Iran today). Nevertheless, I believe Christians here should be praying for God's will in that election. Why? Let me give four reasons:
1. In spite of centuries of Islamic rule, culminating in the Islamic Revolution, there is still a fairly sizeable native Christian community there. Their lives and witness will be affected, perhaps very substantially, by the outcome of the election and the policies of the resulting government.
2. God still loves all of the Iranian people (even those committed to Islam)!
3. We are commanded to pray for "kings and all who are in authority" that we may "live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." I Timothy 2:1-2. This command is not limited to the "king" of our on country; instead, we are to pray for "kings," plural. If the matter is considered carefully, it is easy tounderstand that our ability to live peaceful lives doesn't depend only on our own government, it also depends on all of the other governments that could attack our country. Moreover, our ability collectively, as the Body of Christ, to live peaceful and quiet lives, depends on the actions of every king, every government on earth, because there are believers everywhere (including Iran).
4. The chances for peace in the entire region depend heavily on how militant the Iranian government chooses to be. If Iran becomes more conciliatory, the chances of peace in the region improve greatly. This depends, in part, on the mindset of the leader to be elected next month.
Our role in this election is to pray for God's will to be done in the election and for God to draw the winner to Himself. It is NOT to pray against any human being.
