Let Us Pray

​1 Timothy 2:1-2 ~ “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.”
 
The practice of the church in the culture is to live as a light and witness of the LORD Jesus Christ until the day we are taken to our Savior and enjoy the presence of the Almighty forever. We are not to conform to the culture around us, but to express godliness and righteousness. Often conflicts arise when we have to strive against the tidal forces of societal sins. But even in those times of conflict, there must be the practice of peacefulness from every believer. And so, we pray.
 
This brings us to our text today. Paul tells Timothy that as of first importance, he is to pray. Not only is he called upon to pray, Paul uses the word “urge” which is to beseech or to implore the young pastor to do this very thing. This is not just a passive mention or a passing reference to the spiritual discipline of prayer. Paul makes it clear that this is of such high priority that it is first in line for the urgency of need.
 
There are four aspects to this call for prayer. 1. Supplications. This is a direct entreaty before God on behalf of the individual. You have noticed that they have challenging situations and you go before the Father on their behalf. 2. Prayers. This is the basic call to stand before the LORD and speak with God concerning the individual. It is earnest conversation with God about the other. 3. Intercessions. The one about whom you pray has great needs that God can fulfill and you are standing in petition on their behalf that the LORD should meet their needs. 4. Thanksgiving. Being exactly what it says, you offer thanks for the one about whom you pray. Even if they are causing strife, you go before the LORD with gratitude. This simple view does not convey the full gravity of prayer, but is meant to help guide you as you are in God’s presence on behalf of another.
 
And who are those “others” supposed to be? I’m glad you asked. Our text today tells us that we are to pray “for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions.” It begins with “all people” and, just in case it was overlooked by some who saw that those in authority were the ones causing the greatest strife against the church, Paul reminded them that “kings and all who are in high positions” are still part of “all people” as well. We are often challenged in our praying when we face the onslaught of the authorities who reject the LORD Jesus and try to silence the church. But our praying for them is not based upon their potential beneficence to the church but of the love that was shed abroad in our hearts through the LORD Jesus. Jesus told us this very thing in Matthew 5:44-45, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” If we are to emulate our Father in heaven, it will be best seen in the way we love our enemies—and especially in how we pray for them.
 
And, then, we must understand that our prayers have a purpose. The final statement of our text today says, “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Is it not an interesting thing that the text does NOT say, that they may become peaceful and quiet toward the church, but that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives. Now, in truth, we are much more able to lead a peaceful and quiet life in this culture when there is a general calm to society. But unrest and the hatred of the LORD and of His church has been the mode of operation the enemy has taken from the start. We must pray then that we will be peaceful and at rest—not in the culture, but in the LORD. When we pray for all people, and those in positions of authority, it changes how we will face them when that time comes. We are to be “godly and dignified” as we navigate our way through this world. The example of our LORD is key. 1 Peter 2:23 says, “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
 
So, my friends, let us pray. Let us pray for those around us, for all who are in authority, for the principal makers of the rules of society. Perhaps the LORD will grant them a godly wisdom that would lead to a better, more holy society. But if not, let us pray that we can live, not in harmony with the wickedness of this world, but that we can be at peace, even when the world has departed from the truth.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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