Day 276 – Prayer

Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

• God’s names:
• YAHWEH/JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal
• Elohiym – Supreme God
• Adonay – God’s proper name
• Yeshuwa/Iesous – Jesus
• Theos – Supreme Divinity
• Mesites – Mediator
• Christos – Anointed One, Messiah
• Basileus – King

• God’s character:
• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Mercy
• Righteous
• Kindness
• Mediator

History shows us many wicked leaders from the beginning of time to the present day. When wicked people rule, people fear doing anything that will put themselves in the spotlight and bring terror into their lives. However, when those wicked rulers die or are replaced by good leadership, people rejoice.

Solomon saw many wicked rulers in the surrounding nations. He spoke with authority about the leadership of wicked people and how the people were put under duress. Solomon’s greatest request when he became the king of Israel was ruling YAHWEH’S people with integrity. When Elohiym asked him what He could do for him, Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding to rule His people. He wanted to be a good king. YAHWEH granted him his request.

1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon YAHWEH appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and Elohiym said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O YAHWEH my Elohiym, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge these great people of Yours?” 10 The speech pleased Adonay, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then Elohiym said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there will not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

Solomon wanted to rule with the same wisdom his father, David ruled. He wanted YAHWEH’S presence to guide him through his reign over Israel.

Solomon was known as the wisest king in Israel with the most peaceful reign. No other king in history compared with Solomon.

Today presidents and magistrates have ceremonies pledging to rule the land with integrity with their hands on the Bible, yet when they begin their reign, it looks like they left YAHWEH in the ceremony or church. Nobody can find evidence of Elohiym in their leadership.

As Christians, you have been given one command in Scripture regarding kings and rulers — pray for them.

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Theos our Soter, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one Theos and one Mesites between Theos and men, the Man Christos Iesous, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christos and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

What many Christians do not realize is that Paul wrote all of his letters under the worst regime in the world at that time. The Roman rulers were more interested in killing Christians in the arenas than listening to anyone tell them there was a Basileus more powerful than them. Paul wrote his letters either from prison or on his missionary journeys with the threat of prison always over his head. Yet he never backed down from the message of the gospel, and he told everyone to pray for those in authority over them.

It’s easy to read about praying for our leadership while sitting in our armchairs, sitting in a church service or Bible study and not realize the circumstances the writer was under when he wrote, encouraging Christians to pray for everyone in authority over them. Yet that is the situation Paul faced and not only Paul but all the apostles who were killed, except John, and not for lack of trying. Rome did everything they could to kill John but could not because Yeshuwa spared him through every torture inflicted on him.

You might believe you’re living under bad leadership and in a time when it’s hard to see Yeshuwa where you live. One thing that isn’t hard to do is to pray for your leadership, your president, king, and all those in authority. And pray that when the time comes to elect new authority that Yeshuwa will raise up leadership who honors Him.

Let’s pray: Father, help me to pray for those in authority over me. Give our leadership wisdom to do Your will, to walk in Your ways and see justice done in Your name. Let this be my first priority everyday to pray for those in authority over me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 22 October 2026 by Valerie Routhieaux

May God bless you as you pray for those in authority lifting them up and giving them into His hands. May you walk in the blessings of peace and integrity, knowing you are doing God’s will by praying for your leadership.

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