Acts 23:2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?”

Acts 23:4 But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

Acts 23:5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'”

Acts 23:6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul [began] crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” (NASB1995)

There are two things evident in this passage relating to my question. There of course are other truths here as well. But for certain Paul knew the law. And equally important he knew the politics of the rulers involved. Paul because of his knowledge of not only Jewish law, but of Roman law, he later demanded to be taken through the Appellate system of Rome, as he was a Roman citizen.

The fact is, we might not change anything in this world by standing for the gospel and God’s righteousness, but by our standing for the creator and savior, the enemies of His church are flushed out. But more importantly He and His followers become known, and even amid persecution His church flourishes.

We are to pray for our government and its needs, but it is difficult to pray for what you do not know or understand. We are to pray for our governments leaders, but if we do not know what they stand for and what they are involved in; then how can we affectively pray?