During my quiet time with the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, October 22nd, at precisely 10 a.m. (noticing the time because I had to go to an appointment later), the Holy Spirit spoke to me through this Scripture:

1 Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (NIV)

He urges us to pray for kings and all those in authority. I took the word “kings” to mean our leaders, so immediately I wrote down the name of our Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. I had never done this before. Little did I know that there were shootings taking place in the parliament buildings in our federal capital, Ottawa, at that precise time.

As I later listened to the account of the shootings, the announcer said, “The prime minister was immediately taken to a safe place.” I felt a shiver run over my body when I heard these words, because I realized that I was instructed to pray for him at precisely that time, and I had obeyed instantly instead of waiting until a later time.

This Scripture, which I admit I all too often read over casually, suddenly came alive. Once again, I felt that shiver. I had asked God to use me that day to touch someone’s life. And I believe that He did, as I prayed for the safety of our prime minister.

As I spent some time thanking and praising God for speaking so clearly, it dawned on me that when I had obeyed the Scripture’s clear instruction that morning, I had been given almost immediate assurance that my prayer had been heard and answered.

How much God loves us to take time to ask Him to intervene in the affairs of men! And how I love Him for doing so!

May I urge you to pray immediately whenever the Scripture verse you may be reading instructs you to — and certainly to obey the instructions in today’s passage: to pray for our leaders, for their wisdom and safety.

Prayer: Thank You, our wonderful God, that we can know that You work in our daily lives to bring about answers to our prayers. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sharon Greer Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada