I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
With the General Election approaching, not only should we be carefully considering our votes, but we should be praying for those who lead us in government.
Writing to his younger colleague Timothy about many matters to do with ministry and the local church, the Apostle Paul urges just such prayer. Timothy is to encourage the church to pray, intercede and give thanks to God for leaders. In the context of the letter, this would have included the Roman Emperor, but also various provincial governors and other government leaders.
Paul says that the purpose of such prayers is that we [by implication, Christian believers] may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Commentators divide over how this works. Some say that the very act of praying for leaders in public services demonstrates to them our loyalty as good citizens, and a non-insular, outward-looking concern for society. In this way, wider society, leaders included, will be less inclined to think ill of the church.
Others say that this refers more to the content of our prayers, that we may enjoy a peaceful society and space to flourish and witness as Jesus’ followers. It is easier to live for Christ in South Korea than it is in the North; evangelism is easier in Singapore than in Saudi Arabia. This is perhaps the more classic way this text has been understood, and I incline to think it a more likely reading.
Either way, what is most noteworthy is what Paul tells us of God’s heart in all this. What He most wants is for all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. We should rightly be concerned about many things in an election: a just and compassionate society, social policies which cut with the grain of God’s ordained patterns for humanity, and more. But, along with the Apostle, we need to remember that God’s greatest concern for the world is that people should be saved (and what a strong word that is!).
This election, let’s be praying for those who will lead us – that they will promote peace in our land, that they will govern according to God’s revealed will for society, and that they will continue to allow churches the freedom to live and speak for our Saviour.
