“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.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Break this verse apart – Paul start by writing about who we should pray for, and then why. We are to pray for “kings and all who are in high positions” which in our day refers to our leaders. What? I’m supposed to pray for the people that I don’t agree with how they are running things?
Yes.
Paul continues: “… that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Romans 13:1 tells us, “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
This statement by Paul is especially startling when we understand that he wrote this somewhere around A.D. 56-57. The emperor at the time was Nero, who was an incredibly wicked ruler who led one of the most severe times of persecution of Christians.
It also puts the above verse in perspective when you realize that Paul was being persecuted by Nero who would eventually take his life. In spite of that, Paul wasn’t praying for himself, but urging his fellow believers to pray for those in charge, meaning they were to pray for Nero!
Today we wrestle with this concept, especially in light of today’s politics and heavily divided society. The truth? God is in control of all, even what we don’t agree with – we see things from this side of eternity, He sees them outside of time.
“Wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:20-21)
We can’t see the purpose in allowing some leaders in our country or around the world to stay in power, but God has the entire planet under His control, and His plan for humanity is higher than we can ever understand.
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