Praying for Our Political Leaders

Last updated 1/17/12 by Pastor Nick

Call to Prayer

The Bible calls us to submit to those in governing authority (Rom 13:1-8) and also to pray for all people in governing authority (1 Tim 2:1-8). Furthermore, we should particularly pray for those in governing authority in the place where God has put us, as one way in which we can be salt and light, and a blessing to the places in which we live. In writing to the Jewish people who had been sent into exile in Babylon, God tells them through the prophet Jeremiah, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer 29:7, ESV). We cannot assume Jeremiah’s words apply to us in exactly the same way they did to his original audience, for we are not Jews in exile in Babylon. But we can take the principle that God wants his people to be a blessing to the nations in which they find themselves—to bear witness to him in those places through their lives, words, and prayers—to apply to us. This is consistent with the witness of the rest of Scripture (cf. Gen 12:3; 2 Sam 22; 1 Chr 16:8-36; Ps 45:17, 57:9, 96; Isa 56:7; Matt 10:16-18, 24:14, 28:18-20; Gal 3:8; etc.). Analogous to the Jews in exile who were looking forward to a return to the Promised Land, we are looking forward to a New Kingdom (Rev 21), a city of God and not of this world or present age (Jn 17:14-16, 18:33-36). Our citizenship is ultimately with our Lord (Phil 3:20). But for as long as he has us here, we ought to seek the welfare of the place in which he has placed us.

First Timothy 2:1-8 gives us some guidance on what to pray when praying for people in governing authority. First, we are to pray with thanksgiving. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (v. 1). Second, we are to pray for governing leaders to make decisions that enable us to “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (v. 2b-4). This is not the same as praying for our comfort or welfare. It is, rather, praying that we would experience conditions suitable to the progress of the Kingdom of God and the spread of the Gospel—that we would be given opportunities to testify to Jesus Christ in word and deed. This intent is further made clear in the context.

Information for Prayer

Of course, it is far easier to pray specifically for those who are in power if we know who they are. To that end, here is a list of the people who are in key positions of governing authority, and who represent San Diego and California at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Since we live in a representative government, these officials will change over time. Therefore, a list of websites is given where you can find the most up-to-date information about elected officials. Furthermore, because we live in a representative government, those who are citizens are encouraged to exercise the responsibility of being informed about issues and elections, and to exercise the God-given right to vote in a manner that honors Jesus Christ. Finally, we should also pray for judges, and so the names of California Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court justices are listed along with information about where to locate the names of more local county, state, and federal judges.

United States Governing Authorities

President: Barack Obama

Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. armed forces

Elected to a 4 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2012.

Vice President: Joseph Biden

President of the Senate and next-in-line to the Presidency

Elected along with the President.

Speaker of the House of Representatives: John Boehner

Presiding authority and leader of the majority party in the lower house of Congress (the U.S. House of

Representatives), and 3rd in line to the Presidency

Elected to a 2 year term. No term limits. Next election in November 2012.

President Pro-tempore of the Senate: Daniel Inouye

Presiding authority and leader of the majority in the upper house of Congress (the U.S. Senate), and 4th in

line to the Presidency

Elected to a 6 year term. No term limits. Next election in November 2016.

United States Supreme Court Justices

As with all federal judges, justices of the U.S. Supreme Court are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, and serve a lifetime term. They are listed here in order of how long they have served as U.S. Supreme Court justices, except for the Chief Justice who is listed first.

Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court: John Roberts

Associate Justice: Antonin Scalia

Associate Justice: Anthony Kennedy

Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas

Associate Justice: Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Associate Justice: Stephen Breyer

Associate Justice: Samuel Alito

Associate Justice: Sonia Sotomayor

Associate Justice: Elena Kagen

United States Congressmen Representing California or San Diego

These are the U.S. Senators for California and the local U.S. Representative. Note that each U.S. State is apportioned a certain number out of the 435 total U.S. Representatives based on population. Currently California has 53 U.S. Representatives. Each U.S. State has two Senators regardless of population.

U.S. Representative for California Congressional District 50: Brian Bilbray

Elected to a 2 year term. No term limits. Next election in November 2012.

U.S. Senator: Diane Feinstein

Elected to a 6 year term. No term limits. Next election in November 2012.

U.S. Senator: Barbara Boxer

Elected to a 6 year term. No term limits. Next election in November 2016.

Governor: Jerry Brown

Chief executive of the State of California, one of the “Big 5” influential state political leaders

Elected to a 4 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms (after 1990). Next election in November 2014.

Lieutenant Governor: Gavin Newsom

President of the California State Senate, serves on or appoints members to several boards and committees (e.g., UC Regents, CSU Board of Trustees, etc.), acts as governor when the elected governor is out of state

Separately elected to a 4 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2014.

State Assembly Speaker: John Pérez

Presiding authority and leader of the majority party in the lower house of the California State Legislature

(the California State Assembly), one of the “Big 5” influential state political leaders

Elected to a 6 year term. Limited to a maximum of 3 terms. Next election in November 2012.

State Assembly Minority Leader: Connie Conway

Leader of the minority party in the lower house of the California State Legislature (the California State

Assembly), one of the “Big 5” influential state political leaders

Elected to a 6 year term. Limited to a maximum of 3 terms. Next election in November 2012.

President Pro-tempore of the State Senate: Darrell Steinberg

Leader of the majority party in the upper house of the California State Legislature (the California State

Senate), one of the “Big 5” influential state political leaders

Elected to a 8 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2014.

State Senate Minority Leader: Bob Huff

Leader of the minority party in the upper house of the California State Legislature (the California State

Senate), one of the “Big 5” influential state political leaders

Elected to a 8 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2012.

California State Representatives

The California State Legislature consists of an upper house (the California State Senate), which consists of senators elected from 40 districts, and a lower house (the California State Assembly), which consists of assemblymen and women elected from 80 districts. These are the local representatives for San Diego.

California State Assemblyman for the 75th District: Nathan Fletcher

Elected to a 8 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2012.

California State Senator for the 39th District: Christine Kehoe

Elected to a 8 year term. Limited to a maximum of 2 terms. Next election in November 2012.

California State Supreme Court

California’s State Supreme Court consists of seven justices who are appointed by the governor to lifetime term subject to a retention election by voters every 12 years.

Chief Justice: Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye

Associate Justice: Joyce L. Kennard

Associate Justice: Marvin R. Baxter

Associate Justice: Katherine Werdegar

Associate Justice: Ming Chin

Associate Justice: Carol Corrigan

Associate Justice: Goodwin Liu

San Diego Government

The city is governed by a mayor and 8 city council members.

Mayor: Jerry Sanders

Chief executive for the City of San Diego

Elected to a 4 year term. Limited to two consecutive terms, but can serve in another city office or be