If you live in Arizona, finding your legislators is easy. 

Head to this link and search for your legislators based on your district.

Here is the harder part: once you’ve identified who they are, you should begin to pray for them.

Why should we do this?

Take a look at Paul’s prescription for Timothy:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, 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” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV).

There are multiple ways to pray for your legislators, according to this text:

  • Supplication: making requests to God regarding how they make laws.
    • Example: “Lord, help him to fight for laws that uphold righteousness and honor Your Word.”
  • Intercession: praying on their behalf for something specific.
    • Example: “God, open her eyes to see the truth that children are made in your image from the moment of conception.”
  • Thanksgiving: remembering their God-given position with gratitude.
    • Example: “Lord, thank You for the position you have given him. I know it is under Your sovereign hand.”
  • Salvation: asking for God to grant them repentance and faith in Christ if they are not a believer.
    • Example: “Lord, open her eyes and cause her to be born again, that she might live in a way that is pleasing to you and stand for laws that honor You.”

The purpose of praying for these people is actually for our own good – “…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Notice also that we are not exempt from praying for magistrates who are wicked or stand for ungodly laws. In fact, we learn from verse 4 that God desires for them to be saved. Praying for them is not an affirmation that we agree with their position–rather, it is an appeal to God for their salvation and that they would take a stand for truly righteous laws. 

The charge from Paul to Timothy is clear: pray for your civil magistrates, regardless of who they are.