Pray for Kings and Enemies

Paul teaches us to pray for kings (those in civil authority- 1 Tim. 2:2) and Christ teaches us to pray for enemies (Matthew 5:24). Many times they one and the same. That is certainly true of many who are leading civil government in America today. But for what do we pray?

We always should seek the other's highest good (that is love, agape). But while doing that we do not pray they succeed in their evil. In this we pray for their defeat and failure. We pray that they would change their wicked ways. But if they do not we pray their power will be terminated whatever way it takes. But we leave that to God and His oversight.

Prayer for them does not mean we want them to achieve whatever they see fit. Wicked as they are, we want them to stop it or be taken away.