Is it appropriate for the Church to pray for the state even if that state opposes the Church and the faithful?

To pray for all humanity is a biblical commandment that the believer is obliged to practice as the natural fruit of sharing the love of Christ with all. The apostle commands that prayers be offered on behalf of kings, rulers, and anyone in a position of leadership. Leaders need heavenly wisdom to be able lead those under them in love and fatherhood, and for the benefit of all. When leaders have peace, there is peace and tranquility for the Church. It is noteworthy that as the early Church emerged, she never entered the political arena; and some Churches have continued in this vein, such as the Coptic Orthodox Church. Yet the Church feels a sense of responsibility towards political figures as leaders who influence people’s lives and the lives of local Churches; especially if they persecute the Church and the faith.

The scholar Tertullian says that Christians pray on behalf of emperors, ministers, and the state for the sake of the peace of their state and the world.⁸⁹⁶ He says, “We pray, too, for the emperors, for their ministers and for all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for the prevalence of peace, for the delay of the final consummation …. Thither we lift our eyes, with hands outstretched, because free from sin; with head uncovered, for we have nothing whereof to be ashamed; finally, without a monitor, because it is from the heart we supplicate. Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest, whatever, as man or Cæsar, an emperor would wish.”⁸⁹⁷