Believers, Paul gives us the why and how of praying for our leaders.
Verse of the Day, February 15, 2021
1 Timothy 2:1-2 CSB "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, [2] for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
The apostle Paul urged Timothy to hold on to preach and teach the Bible standard of living because people living God’s way live rightly and in peace with each other (1 Timothy 1:1–11). People living God’s way need not worry about breaking civil laws (1 Timothy 1:9–11).
Paul also urged Timothy to teach believers to pray for our leaders. Biblical believers believe in the Bible, the God of the Bible, and Jesus, as the only mediator between and humanity (1 Timothy 1:1–7, 2:5–7). Believers pray for leaders so that we can live a tranquil life. Leaders make and enforce laws that prevent unbelievers from straying to extreme rejection of God’s laws (1 Timothy 1:9–11; 2:2). When we pray for leaders, thank God for placing civil authority over people who reject God’s standard of righteousness (1 Tim 2:1, 1:12–17). Next, we should pray for our lawmakers to write laws that promote godliness and protect all people's dignity (1 Timothy 2:2).
I know what you are thinking. Why should we pray for leaders with whom we disagree and a dysfunctional unproductive government system? Paul also addresses your objection with two reasons. First, we should pray because "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (2:3). Would you rather be angry at your leaders or acceptable in God's eyes? You can pray for leaders or punctuate your dislike of them. Second, we should pray because God "desires all men (all people including leaders) to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3). Laws are written in agreement with biblical standards and principles by leaders who believe in the Bible, the God of the Bible, and Jesus, as the only mediator between and humanity (1 Timothy 1:1–7, 2:5–7).
Lord Jesus, I pray for our leaders. I pray for you to protect and encourage our Christian leaders, who stand firm in God's law and rule over His people's lives. Lord, I pray for our leaders, with whom I disagree. Lord, I pray for our leaders who accept and promote doctrines that conflict with the Bible. Lord, I pray that our leaders, who trust You, will stand firm and struggle harder to write laws that promote godliness (living right in God's sight) and protect all people's dignity (1 Timothy 2:2). Lord Jesus, the only mediator between God and men (people, humanity), I pray for all men (our leaders and our citizens) to be saved and come to the knowledge of Your truth (2:4). Lord, I understand my need to pray for those who do not govern, by Your standards, because "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (examined, by a soul controlled by the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Lord, I thank You for entrusting me with the responsibility of praying for our nation's tranquility and the salvation of our leaders and citizens. Holy Spirit, keep me more concerned about being acceptable in God's sight than disappointed in those I disagree with.
Daily Devotion
Believers, Paul gives us the why and how of praying for our leaders.
Verse of the Day, February 15, 2021
1 Timothy 2:1-2 CSB "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, [2] for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
The apostle Paul urged Timothy to hold on to preach and teach the Bible standard of living because people living God’s way live rightly and in peace with each other (1 Timothy 1:1–11). People living God’s way need not worry about breaking civil laws (1 Timothy 1:9–11).
Paul also urged Timothy to teach believers to pray for our leaders. Biblical believers believe in the Bible, the God of the Bible, and Jesus, as the only mediator between and humanity (1 Timothy 1:1–7, 2:5–7). Believers pray for leaders so that we can live a tranquil life. Leaders make and enforce laws that prevent unbelievers from straying to extreme rejection of God’s laws (1 Timothy 1:9–11; 2:2). When we pray for leaders, thank God for placing civil authority over people who reject God’s standard of righteousness (1 Tim 2:1, 1:12–17). Next, we should pray for our lawmakers to write laws that promote godliness and protect all people's dignity (1 Timothy 2:2).
I know what you are thinking. Why should we pray for leaders with whom we disagree and a dysfunctional unproductive government system? Paul also addresses your objection with two reasons. First, we should pray because "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (2:3). Would you rather be angry at your leaders or acceptable in God's eyes? You can pray for leaders or punctuate your dislike of them. Second, we should pray because God "desires all men (all people including leaders) to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3). Laws are written in agreement with biblical standards and principles by leaders who believe in the Bible, the God of the Bible, and Jesus, as the only mediator between and humanity (1 Timothy 1:1–7, 2:5–7).
Lord Jesus, I pray for our leaders. I pray for you to protect and encourage our Christian leaders, who stand firm in God's law and rule over His people's lives. Lord, I pray for our leaders, with whom I disagree. Lord, I pray for our leaders who accept and promote doctrines that conflict with the Bible. Lord, I pray that our leaders, who trust You, will stand firm and struggle harder to write laws that promote godliness (living right in God's sight) and protect all people's dignity (1 Timothy 2:2). Lord Jesus, the only mediator between God and men (people, humanity), I pray for all men (our leaders and our citizens) to be saved and come to the knowledge of Your truth (2:4). Lord, I understand my need to pray for those who do not govern, by Your standards, because "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (examined, by a soul controlled by the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Lord, I thank You for entrusting me with the responsibility of praying for our nation's tranquility and the salvation of our leaders and citizens. Holy Spirit, keep me more concerned about being acceptable in God's sight than disappointed in those I disagree with.
In our Mediator, Jesus Christ's name, amen.