A Pastor recently asked us “Why Emphasise Prayer for the Police, shouldn‘t we also be praying for the Firemen and Ambos?"
Of course the answer is YES we should be praying for these groups too, however, there are distinctions in the role of the Police in our communities that increase their need for Prayer Support.
We asked Acting Inspector Paul Mellick, who heads up the Victorian Christian Police Fellowship, to answer this question :
The Bible has a lot to say about Civil Governance (ie governing authorities including law enforcement). Although Police, Fire and Ambulance are all emergency providers, police are unique in that they are a governing authority as opposed to a service provider.
Fire and ambulance provide service as do the police. However, police also have a mandate under legislation to enforce the laws that govern a state, territory or nation. .
Romans 13: 1-6 is the most applicable scripture in support of this view.
Civil governance is a "ministry" and therefore should be upheld according to the principles instructed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Fire and ambulance officers are not rulers but civil servants. Clearly, there is a difference. Although their role is vital in any community and they should be covered in prayer at all times due to the high risk nature of their work, they do not have a governing authority over others..
The law gives police the power to take liberty and in the right circumstances even life. .
Romans declares that the rules (authorities) are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.
It is important that all ministers of the Gospel understand this and teach on the importance of honouring authority. Proverbs 29: 2 declares that when the righteous are in authority (or increase), the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn. .
Police have a specific mandate under God to confront and punish evil. Without that line of defence, lawlessness would abound.
The bottom line is this - Anyone with governing authority over another (Kings, rulers, law enforcement, heads of state, military in some instances), God takes particular interest in - to ensure they are ruling and discharging their duties justly ( refer to proverbs 21: 1). If not, He reserves the right to intervene. This is where the Church comes in. God is using the Body of Christ to uphold the governing authorities for that very purpose - righteous rule. .
In His service.
PAUL MELLICK
Acting Inspector, Victoria Police
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