What does the Bible say about Christians who refused to pray for the country’s government after Islam has been legalized?

Question:

What do you think about the decision of some parishes of the Moldovan Metropolitan to no longer pray for the government of the country? Are Christians allowed, according to the Bible, to come at such a decision?

I have also learned at the news that some parishes of the Moldovan Metropolitan decided not to mention the government of the country in their prayers anymore after the legalization of Islam. This decision was not adopted unanimously by the entire Metropolitan and it seems that it still has to be discussed.

In the Scriptures we are urged to pray for the country’s leadership and the Apostle Paul wrote this:

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)(NASB)

The Bishop of Balti and Falesti, Marchel, said that he would send letters to all churches in Falesti, Balti and Sangerei  to ask people not to mention the country’s leadership in prayer, because it is anti-Christian.

I want to specify that at the time when Paul wrote the first epistle to Timothy, the leadership of the Roman Empire was totally pagan, yet the Apostle urged Christians to pray for the leadership. Having an anti-Christian leadership, the more we should pray for them and ask God for two specific things for this government:

1. To lead the country with all devotion and with all honesty, so that all of us (both Christians and people of other religions or atheists) may have a peaceful and quiet life.
2. To pray that all people (both the government and those of other religions or atheists) may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, that is written in the Word of God.

Legalization of Islam and other anti-Christian laws (such as anti-discrimination law on the principle of sexual orientation) that have been recently adopted by our country’s government should motivate all Christians to pray even more for the officials, to go to each of them, to share the Gospel with them and to explain what is not good in the laws that have passed, and at the next election to think well about it and vote judging from the perspective of Scripture.

Both the Justice Minister, who led the adoption of these laws, and other employees of the Ministry of Justice permanently declare (at TV shows, too) that they are Orthodox Christians. I wonder why the Orthodox Church does not apply discipline to these “Christians” who pass anti-Christian laws one after another? Does not the Bible clearly say that it is our duty as Christians to judge those from the church, i.e. those who are members of the Church and sin against their neighbor, the Truth and the Church? Why none of these officials who were directly involved in the adoption of anti-Christian laws have not been excommunicated up to this day? According to the Scriptures, this is the first thing the church needs to do in such situations. Maybe this way they will teach other officials, as well …

Translated by Felicia Rotaru