23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
25 "Caesar's," they replied.
He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
“God’s children are freed by grace and adoption from the slavery of sin and Satan, but not from their subjection to civil magistrates in civil things; here the law of Christ is clear. ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.’” Matthew Henry
God’s word is also clear on the command that we are to be praying for those placed in authority and leadership positions over us in our civil government. Paul tells Timothy:
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4 (NIV)
God desires for none to perish but for all to come to repentance. We should not only be in prayer for their salvation if unsaved but also for their wisdom and discernment in ruling over us resulting in our being able to lead “quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. As Christians we are to be prayer warriors and ones that have a generous concern for others as well as for ourselves. Paul also gives Titus the following instructions that apply to us as well:
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)
This, my friends, is a power packed verse commanding us to a higher ground - to a higher way of life! Being subject to authority, obedient, doing whatever is good, slandering no one, peaceful, considerate and humble would certainly demonstrate to others, at the very least, that we do not blend with the world and would hopefully give us the opportunity to point them to Jesus. We are given the following command by our Savior in the Sermon on the Mount:
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:43-48 (NIV)
Our prayers are not only to for those in authority but also for God’s people as well. We find this wonderfully demonstrated by Samuel in his words spoken to the Israelites:
19 The people all said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king." 20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Sam 12:19-24 (NIV)
“If I feel disinclined to pray, then is the time when I need to pray more than ever. Possible when the soul leaps and exults in communion with God it might more safely refrain from prayer than at those seasons when it drags heavily in devotion.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Deliver me, O Lord, from a slothful mind, from all lukewarmness, and all dejection of spirit. I know these only serve to deaden my love for you. Mercifully free my heart from them and give me a lively, zealous, active, and cheerful spirit, so that I can vigorously do all that you’ve assigned to me.” John Wesley
“The greatest thing anyone can do for God and for man is to pray.” S. D. Gordon
“Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our person – but they are helpless against our prayer. Fellow Christians who love the cause of Christ – to prayer! To prayer! The times are calling us to it. We must press on.” J. Sidlow Baxter