You’re probably right; in some ways our society and our world are worse off than they were 50 or 100 years ago.

Not that those days were perfect, for they definitely weren’t. A hundred years ago, for instance, the world was on the brink of a horrific war that would kill or maim millions. But today’s headlines certainly indicate that we’re seeing an upswing in violence, and an alarming decline in morals. I can’t help but wonder if we’re now living in the days of which the Bible speaks: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4).

But that means we need to pray more, not less! After all, what would the world be like if we didn’t pray, asking God to restrain evil and give wisdom to our leaders? Only God knows the full answer to that question, but I have no doubt our world would be an even worse place if God’s people didn’t pray.

Be grateful for your pastor’s concern for our nation and its leaders. But may his concern also become yours! The Bible commands us to pray for all who are in places of authority – and we need to take that command seriously (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4). At the same time, never forget that Christ alone is our hope for a better world.