One of the ways that we recognize earthly authority while remaining under God's authority is through prayer. In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul encourages the church to pray for their leaders. In the midst of a highly corrupt government, which frequently oppressed the new church, Paul calls on Timothy and others in the church to pray for the leaders that they have, NOT to pray for a change in leadership. We show our dependence on God's authority by asking him to guide and dictate the hearts of those in power over us.