Pray the News

Thought for the Day

“As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local elections, let us prayerfully choose leaders with a servant heart who fear God and seek the good of the people — not personal gain. True leadership is service, not self-enrichment.”

Today’s Article

The following article appeared in the weekly church column, written by Bishop Dr. William Leleki:

“Elections always present an opportunity for people to select those who they think will lead and represent their aspirations. More often than not this process is accompanied by hopes of a better life and being treated with dignity and respect. The relationship between the elected and those electing should be characterised by mutual respect and common goals. When electing leaders for a bright future, it is always important to choose the right people to lead our communities or nation. It is wise to elect those who fear God and demonstrate a good relationship with God. Godly leaders possess the gift to act with wisdom, integrity and fairness. Whenever we think of electing leaders, we must first think of the qualities that make a good leader. A leader is the servant of the people. Their job is to create a better life for others through a demonstrable servant heart. Good leaders with a servant heart are role models who lead by example and inspire others. Their character is seen by many in their actions, demonstrating love for the people they lead and humility in the way they serve their people with respect and dignity.

As the Bible puts it, “when the righteous leaders increase among the people of God, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). This scripture reading provides guidance for the evaluation of those who are either in public office, or aspire to it. We must be wise. Vote for leaders whose life is marked by righteousness that brings rejoicing to the people they lead, rather than those whose actions are marked by wickedness and who bring groaning to the people they lead.

Romans 13:1, “let everyone be subject to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established”, does not mean that Christians should ever allow the government to force us to disobey God. We understand that we are to live at peace with the state, if that state understands its role to govern people of God according to the will of God. Jesus and the apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reasons. When they disobeyed, it was to follow God’s moral standards.

Their disobedience was not cheap. They were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured or executed for their convictions.

Closer to home, there are those within a certain age group who witnessed persecution when some of us did exactly that in SA when we were disobeying the apartheid government. It governed to undermine the will of God and the people of God, and we were ready to accept the consequences of our actions. If the state is corrupt, we should have as little to do with it as possible. We should remain good citizens as long as the government does not work against God and the people of God. Wittingly or unwittingly, people elected into positions of power are God’s servants. Leaders elected by the people of God are allowed to the positions of power to do good. The people of God elect leaders to be served, and not to serve. Praying for those elected into positions of responsibility does not absolve us from closely watching their actions. Not all who seek leadership positions, more especially in the government, have genuine intentions. We must remember that God is at work in our lives, and that people elected into positions of power have a responsibility to have a relationship with God that provides a conduit for that work. We must be able to see the love of God reflected in their lives and actions.

When we are given the opportunity to vote in the upcoming local government elections — or in by-elections — the Scriptures encourage us to choose people who understand the importance of being in a good relationship with God. Whenever we elect leaders, we must recognise the importance of prayer in their lives. When we pray for those in authority, we emphasise the significance of lifting them up to God. When we look to elected leaders, we are reminded that true authority exists not for personal gain but to serve the people of God. Those elected by the people of God should recognise the fact that there is no room for corruption, self-enrichment, mediocrity and lack of service delivery.”

Core Guidelines for Electing Leaders

According to Bishop Dr. William Leleki’s article, here are the core guidelines a Christian should consider when voting for leaders:

1. Prioritise leaders who fear God and have a genuine relationship with Him

• Choose people whose lives demonstrate a clear, lived relationship with God.
• Godly leaders are more likely to act with wisdom, integrity, and fairness.

2. Look for a true servant heart

• A good leader is first and foremost a servant of the people, not someone seeking personal power or enrichment.
• They should show humility, lead by example, inspire others, and demonstrate genuine love and respect for the people they serve.
• Their character is revealed through consistent actions, not just words.

3. Evaluate leaders by the fruit of their leadership (Proverbs 29:2)

• Ask: Do the people under their leadership rejoice or groan?
• Support righteous leaders whose governance brings joy, peace, dignity, and a better life for the people.
• Reject those whose rule is marked by wickedness, corruption, self-enrichment, mediocrity, or poor service delivery — these cause the people to groan.

4. Vote for leaders who will serve, not be served

• True authority exists to serve the people of God, not for personal gain.
• Leaders must understand there is no room for corruption, self-enrichment, lack of service delivery, or mediocrity.

5. Combine prayer with active discernment and accountability

• Pray for those in or seeking authority.
• However, prayer does not absolve Christians from closely watching and evaluating their actions.
• Be vigilant: Not everyone seeking leadership has genuine intentions.

6. Understand the limits of submission to authority (Romans 13:1)

• Christians should live at peace with the state and be good citizens.
• But if a government or leader works against God and the dignity of the people, believers should have as little to do with it as possible and be willing to resist on moral grounds (as Jesus, the apostles, and anti-apartheid Christians in South Africa did).

Prayer Guidelines

1. Prioritise leaders who fear God and have a genuine relationship with Him

Scripture:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we ask You to raise up leaders in our communities and nation who truly fear You and walk in a close, genuine relationship with You. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and fairness that flow from revering Your name. Help us to discern and vote for such men and women. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Look for a true servant heart

Scripture:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You modelled perfect servant leadership. We pray that You will raise up leaders with humble, servant hearts who genuinely love and respect the people they lead. May they lead by example, inspire others through humility, and put the needs of the people above their own ambitions. Help us recognise and support such leaders. Amen.

3. Evaluate leaders by the fruit of their leadership

Scripture:
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)

Prayer:
Righteous God, according to Your Word, when righteous leaders are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. Give us wisdom to carefully evaluate every candidate and current leader by this standard. May we support only those whose leadership brings rejoicing, dignity, and a better life to the people, and reject any whose actions cause groaning. Amen.

4. Vote for leaders who will serve, not be served

Scripture:
“But it shall not be so among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark 10:43)

Prayer:
Father, remind us and those who seek office that true authority is given to serve, not to be served. Deliver us from leaders who pursue personal gain, corruption, self-enrichment, or mediocrity. Raise up humble servants who prioritise service delivery and the well-being of the people. Guide our votes accordingly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

5. Combine prayer with active discernment and accountability

Scripture:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Prayer:
Lord, we commit to praying earnestly for all who are in or seeking positions of authority, as Your Word instructs. Yet we also ask for sharp discernment and courage to watch their actions closely. Protect us from deception and help us hold leaders accountable, never assuming good intentions without evidence of godly character and fruit. Amen.

6. Understand the limits of submission to authority

Scripture:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1)

Prayer:
Sovereign Lord, we acknowledge that you establish all authority, and we desire to live as good, peaceful citizens. However, where any government or leader works against Your will, undermines the dignity of people, or demands disobedience to Your moral standards, give us courage and grace like the apostles and faithful believers in our own history. Help us know when to resist with integrity while still honouring You above all. Amen.

A Sample Prayer

Prayer for Wise and Godly Leadership in the Upcoming Elections

Heavenly Father,

As we approach the local government elections, we come before You seeking Your wisdom and guidance.

Raise up leaders in our communities and nation who truly fear You and walk in a close, genuine relationship with You. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and fairness that flow from revering Your name, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Help us to discern clearly and vote for such men and women.

Lord Jesus, You modelled perfect servant leadership. We pray that You will raise up leaders with humble, servant hearts who genuinely love and respect the people they lead. May they lead by example, inspire others through humility, and put the needs of the people above their own ambitions, remembering that “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

Righteous God, according to Your Word, “when the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). Give us discernment to carefully evaluate every candidate and current leader by this standard. May we support only those whose leadership brings rejoicing, dignity, and a better life to the people, and reject any whose actions cause groaning through corruption, self-enrichment, mediocrity, or poor service delivery.

Father, remind us and those who seek office that true authority is given to serve, not to be served. Deliver our nation from leaders who pursue personal gain. Raise up humble servants who prioritise genuine service to the people, as Your Word declares: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43).

Lord, we commit to praying earnestly for all who are in or seeking positions of authority. As Your Word instructs, we make supplications and intercessions for them, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Yet we also ask for sharp discernment and courage to watch their actions closely and hold them accountable, never assuming good intentions without clear evidence of godly character and fruit.

Sovereign Lord, we acknowledge that all authority is established by You, and we desire to live as good, peaceful citizens. According to Your Word, “let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). However, where any government or leader works against Your will, undermines the dignity of Your people, or demands disobedience to Your moral standards, give us courage and grace like the apostles and the faithful believers who stood against injustice in our own history. Help us know when to resist with integrity while still honouring You above all.

We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Today’s Scripture Chest

• Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) – leaders who fear the Lord
• Mark 10:45 (NIV) – servant-hearted
• Proverbs 29:2 (NIV) – righteous leadership
• Mark 10:43 (NIV) – serve, not served
• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) – prayer for those in authority
• Romans 13:1 (NIV) – submit to authority