I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
If you like political dramas, there’s no need to reach for that old box set of West Wing or Borgen. Just watch the news. If anything, UK politics is more dramatic at the moment than either of those dramas! Though at least in the TV shows, the key players manage to stay in post.
With the Prime Minister’s resignation, and now the race to succeed her, I find myself tempted both to enjoy the drama and to scoff at the players, some of whom have made an obvious hash of things, or have unpleasant motives.
But what I should be doing, in fact, is praying. That’s what the Apostle Paul wanted his colleague Timothy to encourage in the church in Ephesus. Followers of Jesus should pray for their rulers.
Even the bad ones! The Roman Emperor of the day was Nero – scarcely known for his good character or wise judgment. Yet Paul urges prayer for him, even including thanksgivings. Yes, even though his government may have been despotic, corrupt and cruel, it was probably better than having no government at all (see Romans 13:1-7).
So who’s praying for Liz / Rishi / Boris / Keir / Nicola / Ed and the rest of them?” I know we should.
The Apostle gives a reason: that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. I take it that though this is the aim of praying, it also indicates the content: that leaders should be given wisdom, so that society is well-ordered and peaceful.
Not only is this a good in itself, but Paul has a further reason. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (verses 1-2). Maybe Paul was praying for the salvation of those in leadership – and there could be nothing greater he’d want for them than that! Maybe, too, he had in mind the preservation of the Pax Romana, which had given him opportunity to spread the gospel freely, even at terrible personal cost.
How badly we need good government, and government that allows the spread of the world’s most important news. Will we pray for that?
With the Prime Minister’s resignation, and now the race to succeed her, I find myself tempted both to enjoy the drama and to scoff at the players, some of whom have made an obvious hash of things, or have unpleasant motives.
But what I should be doing, in fact, is praying. That’s what the Apostle Paul wanted his colleague Timothy to encourage in the church in Ephesus. Followers of Jesus should pray for their rulers.
Even the bad ones! The Roman Emperor of the day was Nero – scarcely known for his good character or wise judgment. Yet Paul urges prayer for him, even including thanksgivings. Yes, even though his government may have been despotic, corrupt and cruel, it was probably better than having no government at all (see Romans 13:1-7).
So who’s praying for Liz / Rishi / Boris / Keir / Nicola / Ed and the rest of them?” I know we should.
The Apostle gives a reason: that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. I take it that though this is the aim of praying, it also indicates the content: that leaders should be given wisdom, so that society is well-ordered and peaceful.
Not only is this a good in itself, but Paul has a further reason. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (verses 1-2). Maybe Paul was praying for the salvation of those in leadership – and there could be nothing greater he’d want for them than that! Maybe, too, he had in mind the preservation of the Pax Romana, which had given him opportunity to spread the gospel freely, even at terrible personal cost.
How badly we need good government, and government that allows the spread of the world’s most important news. Will we pray for that?