Honoring God-Ordained Authority

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.  

Reading: Romans 13:1-7; Hebrews 13:17

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.  
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Submitting to authority feels difficult, especially when we disagree with leaders or question their decisions. Yet Scripture is clear: all authority is established by God, and resisting authority is resisting God's appointed order. This includes government officials, employers, church leaders, and parents. Submission doesn't mean blind obedience to evil—we answer to God first. But it does mean we honor the position even when we struggle with the person. When we submit to imperfect leaders, we're actually demonstrating trust in a perfect God who works through flawed vessels. Today, examine your attitude toward those in authority over you. Do you pray for them? Respect them in word and deed? Remember, God often speaks through leaders, and rebellion—even quiet rebellion—cuts us off from His blessing.

Is there an authority figure you've been resisting? How can you honor God by honoring their position?        

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…  

1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).  
2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: “Lord, help me trust that You are sovereign over every authority in my life. Give me a respectful and humble heart toward those You’ve placed over me, even when it’s difficult.”
   
3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.  

Faith Steps:

1. Pray specifically for one authority figure in your life today (leader, boss, pastor, parent, or government official).
   
   
2. Show honor through your words and actions—speak respectfully about them and look for one way to support or encourage them.