Pray for All in Authority 1 Timothy 2:1-7

I exhort you therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior..."

In the time of Paul's writing the "kings" and those "in authority" were ungodly. Despite the ways those in authority were, Paul gave a divine command to pray for them! The Greek language that Paul used depicted the prominent governmental officials. Think about that for just a moment today. What is Paul saying to us? He is telling us that we need to diligently pray for ALL government officials whether we agree with them or not is NOT the issue--the issue is to pray!

The message is clear as to why we are to pray--so we can lead a life that is peaceful and quiet, living for the Lord in godliness and honesty!

Today our political atmosphere is super-charged with elections around the corner! Our system of democracy allows us to vote for those who lead us, which they did not have in Paul's day. Our role as Americans and the ability to vote should be cherished. Those in authority are there because they were voted in. If we don't like the choice made, we have opportunities to change it through exercising our rights as US Citizens. But the meaning here is deeper and we must realize that our greatest effectiveness is found in sincere prayer, asking for God's presence to rule in those in authority. Our voting should be guided by the Holy Spirit after we have diligently and sincerely prayed as commanded in these few verses.

Psalm 113:4 tells us that "The Lord is high above the nations, His glory above the heavens." God is Sovereign and He expects us to pray, pray, pray for His will to be done on earth as is it in heaven!