Good and Acceptable Prayers

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

1 Timothy 2:1-4

The rise of democracy has given common men a say in who holds positions of authority in government.  In the days when kings ruled, men and women did not have such a luxury.  One of the effects of this responsibility is to vocally support those whom you have voted for and approve of and to stand firmly opposed to all others.  Kings had the power to imprison and execute any who spoke or acted against them, and the freedoms afforded by democratic process have eliminated such a threat.  People who would have been branded traitors in the old days can speak their minds without fear of retribution.  The freedom to speak is not a bad thing in itself, but gives rise to a lack of respect to people God has sovereignly allowed to rule.

Daniel, a Jew held captive in Babylon affirmed in Daniel 2:20-22, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. ²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. ²² He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."  Since God is the one who ultimately establishes rulers and sets them aside at His pleasure, we are to honour and respect those who are in authority.  All rulers - regardless of our opinions of their performance - are an extension of God's authority on earth.  Whether the Jews were ruled by King Saul, David, Nebuchadnezzar, or Caesar, it was good and acceptable in God's sight that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.  To what end?  That we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  How often our prayers can be focused on other ends than these!

Whether or not we agree with the policies of politicians who represent us, we ought to make a strong effort in praying on their behalf.  God desires that they too be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, even if it seems improbable they could ever change.  A leopard cannot change its spots, and all men are incapable of changing for the better.  As the only hope for a man born blind ever seeing is the power of Jesus Christ, so God provides the only hope for a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  Leveraging political process may have the appearance of positive change, but only God can bring this to fruition.  Christians ought to use their votes wisely, and when they have voted should continue to pray for those in authority whether you supported them or not.  All those in authority should be upheld in prayerful supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men.  God will hear and answer these prayers of faith.