Pray for Good

"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."

1 Timothy 1:18-2:2

Paul charged Timothy to fight the good fight, "having faith and a good conscience" (1 Tim. 1:19).  To this end Paul exhorted Timothy to offer requests to God, intercede on behalf of, and give thanks for all men, especially for those who were in authority.  What may surprise you about this exhortation is how positive it is in light of the depraved spiritual and moral condition of those he was to pray for.  One might assume it would be more in line with God's will to pray against Caesar, wicked Herod, and dishonest tax collectors.  But God's will is that we would pray for the good of others - even of wicked and foolish tyrants.

Timothy was to pray for kings and those in authority so people might "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."  This may seem like a self-serving motive, but reading the next verses makes it clear this peace is only experienced - not through political policy or government reform - when a person is transformed by God.  Paul continued in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, "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."  Instead of praying against godless rulers, Christians are called to pray they might come to Jesus Christ and be born again.  Only Jesus can bring a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Nowadays there are a lot of other ways Christians try to "fight the good fight."  In a hopeless world it seems Christians can even lose hope in God's ability and power to answer prayers and try worldly methods to accomplish our will.  What does it profit to pray "against" leaders when God said to pray for their good and salvation?  Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."  This goes for Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull, leader Kim-Jong-un of North Korea, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Phillipines, or United States presidential hopefuls Clinton and Trump.  No matter what you think of these men or women and the job they are doing, we are first called to pray they might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Have you fulfilled this heavenly mandate from your LORD, Christian?  Let us learn to give thanks for all those who are in authority, whether it be a spouse, church leader, boss, or local council.  All who are in authority remain under God's authority, and all will answer to Him.  Let us offer loving prayers before God's throne for all and in recognition of God's authority "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."