1 Tim. 2: 1 – 4 Pray For Our Leaders

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2: 1 – 4) .....“…kings and all those in authority. See Jer. 29:7. The notorious Roman emperor Nero (a.d. 54–68) was in power when Paul wrote these words. Godliness… It implies a good and holy life, with special emphasis on its source, a deep reverence for God…who wants all men to be saved. God desires the salvation of all people” (Concordia self-study Bible. "Lutheran edition of the NIV study Bible" (1 Ti 2:2)). We probably cannot compare the current leadership in our government to Emperor Nero, although there are many who would like to. We must pray for all in authority over us. It is the Godly thing to do. It is what God commands. We are not to merely pray but pray in certain ways. Luther comments, “Prayers. These are requests for good things: that the Lord would remove every lamentable condition with which Germany is being oppressed; that instead of those evil men He would give prudent, wise, pious princes who are eager for peace…They are good gifts of God, but the devil is in their midst. We must do what we can. Intercessions.… First, we must pray for all public officials, whether they are ours or someone else’s, that He take evils away from them and give them good things. We must also pray for tyrants, who persecute us and hinder our prayers when tyrants and sects hinder the fruit of the Gospel…Thanksgivings... Gratitude always merits the receipt of more; ingratitude drains the fountain of divine goodness. Gratitude consists of more than the expression ‘I thank you, Lord God.’ It also involves acknowledging first that it is a gift of God, that a person knows that peace, which today holds sway here …It is a gift of God to have a king and a state and the pest without poison, etc… This gratitude consists not only in our words alone but principally in our acknowledgment of the blessing we have received…Gratitude must be involved with prayers, because one must confess the gifts he has received.” (LW Vol. 28 on 2 Timothy 2). We will have peaceful lives as we follow Paul’s guidelines given to Timothy so that we can better reach those who can be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. After all, this is God’s unswerving purpose. .....I will Have to be the first to admit that I have not really prayed for those in authority over me, especially in the government. I have more often sat around spending countless hours complaining about them and their decision on my behalf. It is high time that I start praying for them, republican, democrat or independent. Scripture says that it is my responsibility. No wonder we have trouble reaching the ones God wants us to reach when we are not doing what he commands. The long Luther quote is really for me. I must remember the different types of prayer on which he comments. It is not enough to whisper a “God help them” prayer. It must be much more than that. .....First of all I am praying for you to provide us with good leaders. It seems as though we are always hearing about the bad ones when I know full well that there are hundreds of good leaders currently serving. I humbly request that you would prosper these good leaders and increase their responsibilities and decision making powers. As Luther says “but the devil is in their midst” (LW Vol. 28). It is my request that you hold the devil at bay and not let him have his way with our nation. I intercede for these leaders, both good and bad. May they be protected from evil assault and intentions. May their families remain safe. May they serve our country with pride. Thank you for giving us this form of government where all views are heard. Let the truths of your Word win out in our nation. Thank You for the peace that we enjoy even when we have incompetent and immoral leaders. We trust in You and not mere mortal men and women. May Your will be done in this nation. Please help us to remain and grow as one nation under God......AMEN