“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.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Donald Trump. Stephen Harper. What comes to mind when you hear those names? Does the need to pray for them ever enter your thoughts?
It’s election season in the USA and in Canada and our newspapers and newsfeeds are flooded with propaganda — most of which is inflammatory and negative. It’s so easy to let what we hear, whether true or not, fuel the fires of a critical attitude.
Today’s passage makes no exceptions. We are to pray for everyone. And to make sure the list included all, Paul specifically mentioned “kings and all who are in high positions,” the very people who were causing suffering for the first century Church.
We’re to make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.” That sounds a lot like asking God to bless them and give them the wisdom and guidance to be good rulers. We are commanded to pray for them to govern in a way that enables us to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” I doubt “God, please help Trump lose" (or win!) qualifies as the type of prayer Paul had in mind.
What better time to pray for wisdom for our leaders than in election season!
Will you pray for our current leaders today, and for others in the running?
Father in Heaven, please give our leaders Your wisdom to lead well. Thank You for the opportunity to vote and to pray for them. By Your sovereignty, may those best suited to lead be elected so we may lead quiet, godly and dignified lives. Help us pray for our leaders faithfully and wisely and to be discerning voters. Amen.
Take Action
Pick one leader you don’t like. Take a minute right now to pray for God to bless him/her in three specific ways. Now do the same for a leader you do like.