First of all, then I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good, and it please God our Savior, ho wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself-a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 HCSB

The phrase on a wing and a prayer originated in World War II according to phrases.org.  The earliest known reference is from the movie ‘Flying Tigers’ starring John Wayne.  In the movie John Wayne’s character Captain Gordon asks the hotel clerk if there is any word on that flight yet?  The hotel clerk replies, “Yes, sir.  She’s coming in on one wing and a prayer.”  The phrase means in difficult situations, with meager resources and little chance of success.

Now the last thing I would want to hear while I am in midflight is that we have lost a wing.  I would not literally want to be coming in on one wing, but I can assure you that I would be praying.

The last few days, I have been disheartened by the wickedness and the evil that is all around.  We see it in our communities and in our government at all levels.  I feel as though we are all living on a wing and a prayer.  I am convicted for feeling this way.  I have come to realize that I am focusing on the fact that there is one wing and I have been failing to pray about it.  I pray for my pastor, but not as often as I should.  I hardly ever pray for our government officials.  I am quick to criticize but slow to pray.  Prayer is the key.

Our scripture passage for this morning tells us that we are to pray for all those who are in authority.  It goes on to say that this is not for them, but for us.  This is so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity.  We are told that this is good and it pleases God.

As I read our scripture passage this morning I was convicted about my grumbling and complaining.  When elections happen I go and I vote and I pray.  I know that it is in God’s hands.  I know that He is in control.  There have been times when a candidate won and I felt as though this was God punishing us or perhaps trying to get our attention. There are often times when I don’t know why a particular candidate wins or how the public at large can elect this person, but it happens.  When it happens, I accept that God’s got this.  But when I grumble and complain then I contradict myself by forgetting that God is the one in control.

I am guilty of not praying for my leaders.  I wonder what would happen if each time we thought to criticize someone in authority, we dropped to our knees to pray for them.  According to this verse, we would lead a more tranquil, quiet, godly, and dignified life.  According to this verse, praying for those in authority benefits us.  I am coming to God this morning and asking Him to forgive me for my whining.  I am asking Him to forgive me for my complaining.  I am asking Him to be with all of those in authority even the ones I may feel should not be there.  I am lifting them up to Him.  I am going to pray for their salvation, I am going to be thankful for a loving God who is in full control and I am going to intercede on their behalf.

The other day my blog was about questions I would like to ask God.  Now, while I don’t question what God does because I know that He has a reason for everything, I will admit that when I complain about someone in authority it is as if I am disagreeing with God or I am failing to remember that God is in full control of all things.  So, I am repenting.  I am asking God to forgive me and I am going to make a conscious effort to stop complaining and start praying.  Won’t you join me?

We are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if we, God’s people, will humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face, and turn from our evil ways, then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.  Yesterday my friend’s alarm on her phone went off and it was a reminder for her to pray about something specific.  Several years back our pastor asked us to pray every morning at 7:14 for our leaders and our nation.  I am asking you to set a reminder and do this very thing.  I have heard it said that it takes 30 days for something to become a habit.  Our national day of prayer is May 2nd this year. If we began praying for our leaders today and continued to do so, by May 2nd it should become a habit or a routine part of our day.  I am asking you to join me in praying for our pastors and all those in authority.  I am asking you to pray for our leaders at the local, state, and national levels.  I pray that you will join me. When you find yourself starting to criticize, stop and pray.  When you hear others criticize, encourage them to pray.

While our country may seem to be like a plane with one wing, we know that with prayer, it can fly strong and straight.

Have a great day!