1 Timothy 2: 1 – 2
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
I had a meeting with another pastor at a coffee shop recently. We were discussing prayer when a gentleman at a different table interrupted us to ask why we are to pray for those in authority. The answer is here. It is so that we may live a tranquil, quiet life filled with godliness and dignity.
We are living in a tense time, and I know it is a challenge. The political climate has us divided. In addition, many people on both sides of the aisle are very sensitive. Thus, the third component to this stress is that many people don’t feel like they can say anything for fear of being misunderstood and suffering an acute reaction from a friend, family member or colleague. I understand that people are polarized, but there are places we can meet in agreement and that should be our goal.
One of these places of agreement should be in praying for our leaders and all people in authority. I have always held that to mean our pastors, our bosses as well as our city, state, county and federal office holders. Politics need not enter into this discussion. We are talking about spiritual matters here and attempting to follow our Lord Jesus.
Do you know why you are encouraged to forgive? It is not for that person who did wrong by you. It is for your health and well-being. Jesus taught this principle 2000 years ago but now we also have the science to explain why it is better for us to forgive than to hold onto the hurt.
The same principle holds true for praying for all our leaders and those in authority. Paul couldn’t have been more clear about the reason. It is for our own well-being, so that we may lead a quiet, peaceful life imbued with godliness and dignity. One of the points I wish you to glean from these two verses is that our Father, Yahweh, wants us to experience life as peace, godliness, tranquility and dignity. He doesn’t want you to live stressed out and anxious. Therefore, pray for those in positions of authority.
Finally, as you pray, please be clear to pray for people, not against them or about them. This applies to the people you need to forgive as well. We may have just reasons for telling God all about people’s faults and failures, but that prayer does not lead to peace and tranquility. We are instructed to pray for them. I know this can present a challenge and you have my empathy, but God wants only the very best for each of us so we must pray in the prescribed manner. Whether it is your pastor, the school principal or political leaders, pray they may be led by the Spirit of our Beloved. Pray they follow the light and never darkness. Pray they hold their congregations’, parishioners’, constituents’ needs and wants in the highest regard putting those they serve in higher place than themselves. Pray they make decisions in accord with the Word of God. You get the idea.
When leaders follow Jesus, we all win.