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Millard Kinnison on September 25, 2024

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Together in Christ: 'Pray for Them!' — 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

— 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT

Key Thought...

Notice this key introductory sentence in our reading today:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

Paul didn't tell Timothy to pray only for good people, Christians, godly people, or supportive leaders. Paul knew what it was to face difficult, unfair, vicious, and hostile authorities who abused and mistreated him. [1] Even after all that he had endured, Paul told Timothy to pray for ALL people. He especially emphasized praying for leaders and those in authority so that EVERYONE could live a peaceful life. Paul didn't limit Timothy's prayers of thanksgiving and intercession to the good rulers. [2] Timothy's prayers were not easy prayers only for authorities with whom Timothy agreed or for people of faith. The old apostle wanted Timothy to pray for ALL people. Every person on the earth needs the opportunity to learn about Jesus and live a peaceful life of godliness and dignity. So, we need to pray for peace so there will be opportunities to share God's grace with all people.

In our politically and ethnically fragmented world, our prayers sometimes focus on defeating evil rulers and protecting vulnerable, godly citizens. While there is a time for us to pray for the deliverance for those oppressed and for stopping those who are evil, [3] we also must remember that Jesus taught us to pray for enemies, even those adversaries who persecute us. [4] Jesus came to save every person in the world, not condemn any of them. [5] He has now sent us into the world to serve the lost and broken and lead them to follow Him. [6] God wants all people to come to repentance and find their way home to Him, [7] and our prayers are vital in helping our world outreach to happen successfully and effectively. So, as we pray, let's balance our prayers with generous grace and cries for justice, begging for mercy, and declarations of Jesus' ultimate triumph over all evil. Because Paul told Timothy to be gracious in his prayers, we can pray graciously and thankfully for our rulers whether we like them, agree with them, or fear them. Why?

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

[1] 2 Corinthians 11:21-33; Philippians 1:18-26.

[2] It's probably not immediately apparent that giving thanks for dictatorial, cruel rulers is a reasonable thing to do, but there are some additional things to consider:

— Remember that Paul was living under strict, sometimes oppressive, Roman rule when he said to pray for and give thanks for authorities.

— In Romans 13:1-7, Paul wrote more extensively about our response to and attitude about governing authorities. Among other things, he said to submit to them and give them respect and honor. Peter taught the same thing (1 Peter 2:13-17). As long as the authorities are not asking us to do something that clearly violates God will (Acts 5:28-29), we are to submit to them.

— Paul said that governing authorities are the ones responsible for maintaining "peaceful and quiet lives," and that is something for which we can be thankful.

— Today's verses also say to intercede for those in authority. Our prayers should include intercession for an end to any harmful things being done by authorities.

[3] Acts 4:23-31; also see the whole book of Revelation.

[4] Matthew 5:43-44.

[5] John 3:16-17.

[6] Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

[7] Acts 17:29-30, 26:19-23; 2 Peter 3:8-9.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God and loving Father, I know You yearn for all lost people to find their way home to You. Mold our hearts to be more like Your heart that loves everyone and doesn't want a single one to perish. Empower us as we seek to live out Your great commission in our world. Soften my heart to intercede for my leaders, especially those with whom I can't entirely agree. I need the Spirit's help to do this wisely, so please help me, I pray. Amen.