.png)
Welcome back to Faith and Soul Care. This is Sherry Elaine, your
host. Today’s episode is the third in our series, How to Ask God for Help.
And this one is especially focused on how to ask for help for our world
leaders—through prayer.
This is important all the time, but I believe it’s especially needed right now, when every day
brings a new, huge, worrisome headline from places all over the world. And wow—are the headlines ever swirling this week.You may be feeling that mix of exhaustion and anxiety every time you open
your news app or scroll social media. I know I hardly check the news anymore,
and somehow I still get it—because there’s something on my laptop that notifies
me of breaking news, even though I didn’t ask it to.
We’ve got Trump tariffs, global trade wars, a weak jobs report, rising
unemployment, concerns about SNAP benefits and stimulus payments being delayed,
and Ukraine still under attack with talks of billions more in aid. And now this
week, a massive earthquake in Russia that triggered tsunami warnings and caused
cliffs to fall into the sea—reminiscent of Psalm 46.
It is a lot.
And for many of us—especially those trying to live faithful, intentional
lives—it raises a real question:
What and how do we even pray when the world feels like this?
[You may always listen to the blog posts on the Faith & Soul Care podcast:]
Well, a few weekends ago, I got some clarity. I attended a seminar on
prayer, taught by a local pastor, Pastor Brent Johnson. It was rich and
thought-provoking, but one moment in particular stirred something in me that I
hadn’t fully acknowledged before.
During the Q&A time, I asked him about praying for our government and
world leaders. I admitted that I don’t regularly pray for leaders or government
officials in my personal prayer time.
Sure, I pray something like “Thy will be done” from the Lord’s Prayer,
and I might pray for peace in general—but I hadn’t been praying specifically
for the President, or for Congress, or for the Governor.
If I’m being honest, I hadn’t really felt any connection to them. I
wasn’t sure my individual prayers would make any difference.
But Pastor Brent reminded me of 1 Timothy 2:1-2, where Paul urges
us to make “petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for all people—for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives
in all godliness and holiness.”
That verse reframed things for me. Paul isn’t telling us to pray for
leaders so they’ll do what we want them to do. He’s inviting us to pray so
that, through whatever decisions they make, the outcome allows for peaceful and
godly living—so that God’s people can encounter and spread truth, freedom, and
the gospel of salvation.
Let’s break that down with today’s headlines in mind.
Whether it’s Trump’s new trade tariffs, escalating trade wars, the August
jobs report showing slowed growth and rising unemployment, or shifts in SNAP
benefits and stimulus distributions—or even new concerns about Social
Security—we are watching decisions made by those in high positions that
directly affect all of us.
When we pray for our leaders, we’re not necessarily asking that their
political agendas succeed. We’re praying that God’s will is accomplished
through their leadership and that policies are passed that align with His
purposes.
We want the hungry to be fed.
We want peace to be preserved.
We want truth to rise above propaganda.
We want justice to be pursued.
We want wisdom to guide decisions.
We want people in disaster zones—like those affected by the Russia earthquake,
tsunami warnings, and worldwide flooding—to receive help, relief, and mercy.
Here’s the shift I made, and I invite you to make it too.
Instead of praying, “God, fix this chaos,” or “God, let that bill pass,”
let’s pray:
“God, let Your will be done in our government and in this world—just as it
is in heaven.”
Regardless of what happens, guide people to govern in ways that allow
Your desires to bear fruit in the world.
That may sound vague, but it’s actually very specific. It’s a prayer that
says:
- “Lord, bring wisdom to
decision-makers in trade negotiations.”
- “Bring restraint to leaders who
hold power over war or peace.”
- “Bring provision for those whose
benefits are delayed or reduced.”
- “Bring recovery and protection
for people affected by natural disasters.”
- “Bring revival—even in the
highest offices of government.”
Now, me praying that on my own—will it make a difference? I don’t know.
But I do know that if many of us are praying that God’s will is
accomplished and that governments lead in ways that make room for that—that
makes a difference.
Prayer isn’t passive.
It’s an act of spiritual resistance and restoration.
And asking God for help when the world seems to be in chaos?
That is exactly what He invites us to do.
Maybe you’ve thought, like I did, “My prayer won’t change what happens
in Washington, or Moscow, or Jerusalem.”
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Our prayers aren’t powerful because of us.
They’re powerful because of the One we pray to.
When we pray, we are inviting the King of Kings into places no vote, no
policy, and no pundit can reach.
We’re aligning our hearts with what He wants—not red or blue, not
nation against nation—but God’s kingdom coming to earth, one surrendered
prayer at a time.
So friend, will you join me in this?
This week, as the headlines keep swirling—when you see something about
Trump news, or tariffs, or Ukraine, or disaster alerts, or benefit
changes—don’t just scroll.
Pause and pray.
Even if it’s simple:
“God, guide our leaders.”
“God, protect the vulnerable.”
“God, let Your kingdom come.”
If you'd like support and encouragement in your prayer life or in your
walk with God—
If you feel something tugging at your heart, drawing you to walk more closely
with the Spirit of Jesus—
Then I want to invite you to sign up for my next Online Spiritual Formation
and Soul Care Cohort for Women.
Registration opens August 11th.
This is a free, five-week online experience where we go through a
foundational course together. It’s designed to help us grow in our walk with
God, build purposeful rhythms into our daily lives, and live more intentionally
and joyfully—just as God desires for us.
We meet live on Zoom three times during the five weeks, and those
gatherings are interactive and transformational.
Women often tell me how thankful they are for the simple and fun tools
and strategies they learn to stay close to God’s heart, day by day.
You can learn more and get on the interest list by going to this page of my website, scroll down to the notification form, and submit your email address: sherryelaine.com/books
When you join my email list, you’ll be first to receive notice when registration opens.
Or just go to sherryelaine.com/cohorts on August 11th, and you’ll
see the registration page then.
All the links are also in the blog post or in the show notes.
If this episode encouraged you, would you share it with a friend?
Let’s be people who respond not with fear, but with faith—not with
despair, but with prayer.
I’ll be back next time with another episode in our series How to Ask
God for Help, and we’ll look at what Scripture says about how to approach
God when you don’t know what to pray.
Until then—keep caring for your soul, and keep seeking the God who hears
every prayer.
