August 13, 2014
By Dave Bill, serving in Republic of the Congo
During a recent team meeting, I suggested to my wife, Teresa, and our national colleagues, Célestin and Jeanne, that we ought to be praying for our political leaders here in Congo.
1 Timothy 2:1–2a says: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority . . .”
Most of the time our prayers for our leaders, if we intercede for them at all, are an afterthought at best, I mused. Leaders here need our prayers. And we also need to ask God to give us opportunities to witness to them.
A few days later I was standing alongside a road in the bush, talking to a Brazilian brother who attends our church plant. I hadn’t visited him in a while, and he will soon leave for his home country to get married. He works at the Congolese president’s new dairy farm that’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere.
Running Toward the Word
While we were visiting in this remote location, a fleet of cars stopped right in front of us. It was the president’s wife and her entourage. People began piling out of their vehicles, apparently concerned about the malfunctioning car in which the first lady was riding.
I hesitated to rush toward them, but my car was parked right next to them and I wanted to take this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to give each person in the group a Bible. I had a box of Bibles in the car, because the day before, in God’s providence, I was unable to distribute them as planned.
So now I had the opportunity to pass out the Bibles to a number of our country’s leaders—and pass them out I did. Political figures and officials ran to receive my offering! I only regret that I didn’t have more.
The Lord tells us: “Ask and it will be given you” (Matthew 7:7). He also says: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14).
This experience was another reminder that God is sovereign. And He responds to all of His promises with “Yes!” and “Amen!”
Pray
The prayers of God’s people strengthen Alliance personnel to live and serve across the globe. Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests, joining our worldwide family in praying for them.
Give
Gifts to the Great Commission Fund ensure the good news of Jesus is shared—in word and deed—in some of the most spiritually dark places on earth.
Learn More
- Take a few minutes to watch “From Darkness into Light” (2:47); see God’s redemptive work through Célestin since his remarkable conversion.
- Read about a growing neighborhood children’s ministry led by Teresa, Célestin, and Jeanne.