“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

(1 Peter 2:17 KJV)

As Christians, we are to submit to governments and authorities for the Lord’s sake:

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

(1 Peter 2:13-16)

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

(Romans 13:1-7)

Note: we submit up to the point that it goes against the word of God and our God given conscience.

 We are also to pray for our country and governing authorities:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

(1 Timothy 2 1:3)

Firstly, Christians are citizens of the Kingdom of God and ought to honour and obey our heavenly King:

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Philippians 3:20)

In the above verse, the Greek word for “conversation”, politeuma, means “citizenship”. This shows the mindset of the faithful Christian.

However, as Christians, we are all from earthly ethnicities and respective citizenships. Being a citizen of a country gives us rights and responsibilities. God has not called us to be anti-patriotic or anti-government. We are to work with our respective countries as much as we can (Christians are not rebels), and of course, only where possible. We should care about the country where God has placed us and pray for it—pray for its leaders, the peace thereof, and pray for the direction it is going in. We are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.

We also should acknowledge that men have died for our country as they have fought frontline battles against the powers of evil. Peace is better than war, and war-aggression is wrong, but sometimes war must be fought to combat aggressors that won’t be put down by any other means.

“A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:8)

We pray for the peace and prosperity of the United Kingdom, but we also call upon the leaders and the people to turn back to their Christian heritage and to the God who rules over all. Repentance and turning back to God are due in our nation. There are sins presently in our nation that God is not pleased about. How can God bless a nation that is going in a wrong direction?

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”

(2 Chronicles 20:20)

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

(Proverbs 14:34)

Please read the following Gospel Tract:

God Save the King – British national anthem

God save our gracious King,

Long live our noble King,

God save the King:

Send him victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us:

God save the King.

O Lord our God arise,

Scatter his enemies,

And make them fall:

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks,

On Thee our hopes we fix:

God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store,

On him be pleased to pour;

Long may he reign:

May he defend our laws,

And ever give us cause

To sing with heart and voice

God save the King.