“ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”–1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this new Monday, I want to offer a slightly different kind of encouragement to you from God’s Word.
As we glance at the calendar, we see that we have just over forty days until our national Presidential election. Needless to say, this certainly may be one of the most significant elections in the history of our country, and certainly in our lifetimes!
Along with everything that has transpired so far in 2020, we enter these final days and weeks before the vote with a whole range of concerns. However, we are certainly not the first generation of disciples of Christ who have faced such daunting days, particularly with reference to the political climate of their times. For this is precisely what we discover, for example, when we examine the two New Testament letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy.
About the year AD 62 Paul was released from the first of his two imprisonments in the imperial capital of Rome. After he had regained his freedom, he wrote the letter to Timothy we know as First Timothy. At some point later, the Apostle was again taken into custody by Roman officials and imprisoned for a second time. Then as a prisoner for Christ once again, he wrote the letter we call Second Timothy, the last such letter that Paul would ever author. Somewhere between AD 64-67 Paul, the great Apostle and missionary to the Gentiles, was executed by the emperor (likely Nero).
What’s so intriguing about all of this is what Paul exhorts Timothy (the young pastor serving in Ephesus) to do in such a dangerous political climate, one full of potential and actual threats to the very existence of the Church. You can see in the passage from First Timothy quoted above that the Apostle delivers an urgent command to his young friend and fellow-laborer in the Gospel:
“ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions.”
Timothy is to call his people to prayer, and not only fervent prayer for the church, but vigorous supplication for all kinds and classes of people, and especially for those who are in “ high positions.”
Well, there’s nothing really unexpected here for us so far. I believe that virtually all believers in Christ understand our fundamental obligation to pray on behalf of the world at large, and especially those in power over us. But what should we pray for, according to Paul, as we remember those in such “ high positions”?
Well, the Apostle tells us exactly what our prayers should focus upon in verse 2:
“ that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Now, truthfully, does that come as a surprise to you?
There are certainly many things we could (and should) pray for in regard to our political authorities, especially when they come up for election or re-election! The policies and platforms of the various parties and candidates are surely legitimate matters of concern and prayer. And who ultimately gets to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC for the next four years is also a huge concern to take to our heavenly Father in prayer! But, oddly, these do not seem to be the immediate concerns of the soon-to-be re-imprisoned Apostle.
What he is focused upon is the outcome of our prayers for those over us. And, specifically, that the members of the body of Christ would remain free to lead lives of peace, quietness, godliness, and dignity“ in every way.” For it is this that “ is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” (v. 3).
I intend to pick up this passage and this theme again next Monday and develop it further. But for now I would encourage you to reflect upon this rather unexpected goal of our prayers which is set forth here by Paul. Let’s think hard about why this is “ pleasing” to our Father, why it is a matter of first importance, and how living in this way as believers gives Him both pleasure and glory.
As I go, let me ask that you would join me in forty days of fervent prayer for our nation, for the election, and for those who will be in power over us. As we gather in prayer before meals, or in our times of family worship, or in our solitary moments of intercession, let’s be sure to remember our “ kings and all who are in high positions.” And let us pray that the outcome of our prayers will be that we might be empowered to live before the world in the way our Father has desired.
To be continued. . . .
I love you all so much,
Mike