“ 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 continue our look at how we are instructed to pray for those in authority over us. And I am directing your attention to these verses in light of our forty-days of prayer for our nation that we are engaged in as we approach our upcoming Presidential election.
Briefly, we suggested last week that Paul’s emphasis here seems to be upon the outcome of our prayers for our national and local leaders. This is seen in the phrase, “ that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
But today, I want to take this a bit further and explain Paul’s rationale for this emphasis. Then I will suggest some ways we might practically apply this passage to our current situation, all the while seeking to provide us with some encouragement and hope. So, here we go!
First, it would appear that the Apostle’s purpose in focusing upon the outcome of our prayers–that we believers would live our lives before the world in a way that pleases our Lord–is that it has something to do with the advance of the Gospel. This is expressed well in the Phillips Translation of this passage:
“. . . so that our common life may be lived in peace and quiet, with a proper sense of God and of our responsibility to him for what we do with our lives. In the sight of God our Savior this is undoubtedly the right thing to pray for; for his purpose is that all men should be saved and come to realize the truth.”
Our ability and willingness to live godly lives, characterized by peace and quietness, enhances and fosters our opportunities to carry out our mission as the Church. And if this is true, then it is also true that to the degree that we are not godly, peaceful, and are not displaying a quiet (yet confident) faith in Christ, our witness is hindered.
So let’s try and put this together in terms of a summary statement:
We should fervently pray for those in power over us for the purpose that, as Christians, we might be unhindered both in our pursuit of holiness and in the completion of our mission, which is to bring the Gospel to the world.
But this still leaves us asking what we should pray for specifically as we remember our leaders before God’s throne in fervent supplication. Well, here is where we have to do some hard thinking. We must consider the broader implications of Paul’s inspired instructions. How does this passage guide our specific prayer requests today in 2020?
Maybe I can provide some assistance with this question by telling you some of the things that I am praying for as we approach election day.
A Prayer for the Presidential Election
Here’s how I might frame my prayer:
“ Dear Father, I ask that that the presidential candidate whose platform and personal convictions are most in harmony with Your Holy Word might be peacefully elected, and this for the glory of Your Son’s dear Name. And I pray that when this one takes office, that he might be moved upon by Your Spirit to pursue the righteous discharge of his duties in order that we might be at peace and may live in godliness, enjoying the freedoms we need that we may declare the Gospel to the world.”
In other words, I am asking the Lord to grant us mercy, and to move the hearts of the electorate to put a man in office who, if not personally a Christian, will yet be committed (either consciously or unconsciously) to those basic and essential truths of Scripture that establish and defend the dignity of those made in His image and likeness.
Included in these essential truths would be: the sanctity of all human life and those fundamental human rights, which are divinely granted, that flow from this preeminent fact; the freedom to practice one’s faith without fear of governmental interference, or persecution from the enemies of the Church or the state; the rule of law and the maintenance of civil order; the expectation of personal accountability for all people; a commitment to defend the citizenry; and liberty to pursue one’s calling.
While more can and should be added to this list, the point is that these principles are the very ones that make for peace among men, and also afford us the freedom to execute our duties and obligations as believers in Christ and as responsible citizens of this nation. We want and need a President who will courageously uphold these indispensable standards so that we can live with the greatest freedom possible for the glory of God!
And as a Christian who is also an American citizen, I am intensely praying that the one elected to this high office will uphold and defend our Constitution wherein, by God’s gracious providence, we find these very principles embedded, and without which this nation cannot exist!
Certainty, there are many other things that we will pray for as we think of our local, state, and national leaders. But looking at the larger picture, what’s most essential is that we implore our Heavenly Father to be merciful to us and to the people of our nation. We want Him to graciously grant us what we don’t deserve–leaders who will govern in righteousness, in wisdom, with a courage empowered by the Spirit, with compassion and magnanimity, accompanied by a selfless devotion to those whom they govern and serve.
Some Encouragement
With all this said, let me now offer a simple word of encouragement for you.
If our Father has commanded us to pray, as indeed He has, then we can rest assured that He will hear and answer our supplications.
How amazing it is that our Great God has invited us to pray, and has determined to use our often-feeble petitions to accomplish His will! What a privilege prayer is! Your loving Father will never turn His ears away from you. He will never fail to acknowledge your voice, no matter how weak or frail it may sound. He has summoned you into His presence in order that through your prayers, and those of Christ’s blood-bought Church, you might touch and impact the whole world for His glory!
It’s likely that you may never personally meet the President. But, nevertheless, you can most assuredly make effectual contact with his very soul through your Christ-centered prayers on his behalf! And not even the power of hell itself can stop you!
So, let us pray! Let us remember those in “ high positions.” Let us ask our Father to grant us a good and faithful President. Let us seek the Spirit’s influence on the outcome of the election! Let us beseech our Lord to grant us more time to carry out the Great Commission, and that we might do so in peace and freedom! And then let us leave the results in His hands, while humbly seeking His strength so that no matter what happens, we might live holy lives before this lost world!
I love you all, always,
Mike
PS: Our next Monday Encouragement will come on October 12. From this Wednesday morning through early next week, Carol and I will be away visiting our new grandson James for the first time. In my absence. Dr. Bud Lancaster will be teaching our High-School through Adult Sunday School Class (on the topic of Postmodernism), and Matthew Elliott will be preaching for us. Also, Rev. Jim Daughtry will be leading our worship and offering the Lord’s Supper. Please lift up these dear brothers in your prayers!