“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)
The old maxim is that we never discuss religion and politics in polite company, yet here the apostle Paul instructs his young protégé, Timothy, to do exactly that. Paul urges Timothy, and through Timothy to his congregation, to make supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people. He then specifies that these must also be made for those who lead the nation (kings and all who are in high positions). In Timothy’s context, these would include the Roman emperor, the Senate, local city-kings and magistrates and city officials.
Those prayers have a purpose, which is stated in the latter part of verse 2, “(so) that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” In other words, Timothy and his congregation were to pray for their city, their nation, and the leaders of the Roman empire in such a way that the believers might serve God faithfully, in relative peace and security, while they bore witness to Him in their everyday lives. The verbs in the Greek are synonyms; they share the same essential meaning expressed in slightly different ways, as expressed in the English translation. Paul’s instruction is to pray for those in authority, to plead with God for them, to intercede for them, and to give thanks for them.
This instruction is timeless, and we remain under its authority even today. Our nation (and the world) is reeling under the physical and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. Our leaders are tasked with maintaining the physical security of our communities as they struggle with decisions about restoring some semblance of “normalcy” so that people might be able to return to their jobs and businesses. Our prayers are always urgent, and never more urgent as we navigate the current uncertain circumstances.
How then should we pray for those in authority, for our President, our Governor, our commissioners and mayors and the civil authorities? Let me paraphrase this lofty petition from the Book of Common Prayer (1662) as a possible example to follow:
“Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for this nation in general, so especially for the Congress under our President this time assembled: that You would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of Your glory, the good of Your church, the safety, honor and welfare of our nation and citizens; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessities, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.”
1. Pray for our national and local leaders, that they would be directed and prospered in their discussions concerning the welfare of our citizens, that they might be granted wisdom and discernment in navigating the critical decisions before them.
2. Plead with God for their health and well-being always, and especially in the midst of this crisis. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Great Britain, was diagnosed with the Coronavirus and hospitalized. Imagine the chaos that would have ensued should he have perished from the disease and the leadership of that nation be thrown into disarray. Think how quickly circumstances can devolve within any nation where the leadership is disrupted, and how anarchy is kept at bay only by stability.
3. Intercede for them, that their own salvation might be won during this crisis. Paul’s instruction to Timothy includes a rationale for their prayers: This (praying, pleading, interceding, thanksgiving) 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. We are subject to these leaders; should we not pray for their conversion and salvation, that they might govern us wisely, with the love of Christ?
4. Give thanks for them, since they have stepped into positions of authority, with the terrible responsibility of governing their constituents, and bearing the sobering weight of accountability to God and men. Consider the time they have devoted, away from their families and businesses, to bear the burden of government. Our lives are peaceful and relatively free of disruption because men and women have volunteered to serve. Be grateful to God for them.
Our prayer for each of you is that you would honor Christ during this crisis, that you would submit humbly to the governing authorities, that you would lead your families wisely in your devotions and service to each other, and that you would rejoice in your great salvation, knowing that when Christ returns, death and sickness will be no more, and He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We long to be with each of you when we gather again as a church.
Love in Christ to all who honor His name.
