“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In the current political climate in the United States, it is important for Christians to remember these words from the apostle Paul. We need to pray for our leaders. But why are we to pray for them? We should not necessarily pray for our leaders to accomplish their agenda. Their agenda may be contrary to God’s will. We should also not necessarily pray for our leaders to accomplish the will of the people. Again, this may be contrary to God’s will. Paul said we are to pray for our leaders “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Our responsibility to obey the Lord does not change. If civil leaders oppose us for that, we must still obey God. Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If others persecute us for serving the Lord, we must still obey God. Paul wrote, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). If we must obey God anyway regardless of these other factors, why should we pray for leaders to allow us to live a tranquil and quiet life? Paul gave the answer to this question: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). It is true that the gospel can be spread during times of persecution, but this passage teaches us that it is better when the word is unhindered. This explains a lot of the reason why there are more Christians in the United States than in places like Saudi Arabia and North Korea. However, Christians must do more than just pray. This is based upon the reason why we pray. We should pray “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). That means we must be busy doing the Lord’s will. Paul said we must be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are not to “use [our] freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God” (1 Peter 2:16). We should pray for for the word of God to be spread so that others can “come to the knowledge of the truth” and “be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). This means that we need to be working to teach others the truth – “always being ready” with an answer (1 Peter 3:15) – as we sow the seed of God’s word in the hearts of those around us (Luke 8:5, 11). –Andy Sochor
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