Summary: Darkness within our minds and spirits is not what God wills for us. Those who call upon God and allow him to rule their lives receive the light that dispels the darkness within.
Summary: We ought to pray for everyone because God loves everyone and wants everyone to come to salvation; and we ought to pray especially for persons in power because of their influence on all the rest of us.
We accept faith, or grow our faith, not by dramatic events or fear of punishment, but by responding in our everyday lives through study, devotion and care for others, to the revelation that God has given us.