Prayer for Politicians

Dear COAH,

This past week has been a political turmoil and national crisis in South Korea, and it will continue to be difficult for some time. For us immigrants living in Canada, the politics of our homeland are more acutely felt than the politics of Canada because our minds are here. But, still, our hearts are far away in Korea. It's not just the Korean immigrant community that is experiencing this way. All around us, we see people from the Punjab state of India, people from Iran, and especially recent immigrants from Palestine who are very sensitive to the political developments in their home countries.

Our concerns and prayers should include the countries we have left behind and the country where we live now: yes, here in Canada, too! Recently, President-elect Trump has threatened Canada and Mexico with massive tariffs on imports until illegal immigrants are appropriately stopped at the border. This talk is an enormous pressure point not only in the political arena but also in the economy and society. We need to pray. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "Supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks, for all men; for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and modesty." We need to pray for kings and those in high places because when they make bad or devastating decisions, they directly affect so many people. We've seen with our own eyes how President Putin's fatalistic decision to invade Ukraine has cost countless lives on both sides of the conflict: Russia has reportedly lost at least 600,000 soldiers, and when you add the Ukrainian casualties to that number, we're talking about over a million innocent lives lost.

Even though I'm watching Korean politics from far away in Canada, I can't help but wonder if there will ever be a mature political situation in that country. When I think of Canada, I can't help but wonder if Canada will ever get its immigration policy straight. Looking back at 2024, we realize world politics has been challenging. From bloody wars in various places to the presidential election in the United States to the recent political chaos in South Korea, it has been a challenging year indeed. The most important thing we can do right now is to pray for those political leaders to make sane and wise decisions along the lines of 1 Timothy 2:1-2.


Blessings,
Pastor Minho Song