The only direct, actionable advice (in the New Testament) is to pray for them. Jesus didn't speak about this specific topic per se. But Paul does talk about government in a number of places...
1 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Proverbs 21:1 (this one is Old Testament) The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord...
Now, that seems ineffectual and weak; and it is. Not to get long-winded, but there is a reason for that. God is judging our nation for its sins. One of the most potent judgments is to allow a people to be ruled by evil men.
But. God's judgments upon nations have been historically held back for the sake of His people, and in God's promises to Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, He says: "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
God is looking to HIS OWN people in this time. He's not expecting the whole country to just pull itself up by their bootstraps, but He is expecting His children, who know Him, to live up to their God-given potential.
The only direct, actionable advice (in the New Testament) is to pray for them. Jesus didn't speak about this specific topic per se. But Paul does talk about government in a number of places...
1 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Proverbs 21:1 (this one is Old Testament) The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord...
Now, that seems ineffectual and weak; and it is. Not to get long-winded, but there is a reason for that. God is judging our nation for its sins. One of the most potent judgments is to allow a people to be ruled by evil men.
But. God's judgments upon nations has been historically held back for the sake of His people, and in God's promises to Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, He says: "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
God is looking to HIS OWN people in this time. He's not expecting the whole country to just pull itself up by their bootstraps, but He is expecting His children, who know Him, to live up to their God-given potential.
The only direct, actionable advice (in the New Testament) is to pray for them. Jesus didn't speak about this specific topic per se. But Paul does talk about government in a number of places...
1 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Proverbs 21:1 (yes, this is Old Testament) The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord...
Now, that seems ineffectual and weak; and it is. Not to get long-winded, but there is a reason for that. God is judging our nation for its sins. One of the most potent judgments is to allow a people to be ruled by evil men.
But. God's judgments upon nations has been historically held back for the sake of His people, and in God's promises to Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, He says: "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
God is looking to HIS OWN people in this time. He's not expecting the whole country to just pull itself up by their bootstraps, but He is expecting His children, who know Him, to live up to their God-given potential.