Because It's the Right Thing to Do

Reading the Scriptures can have a powerful, convicting effect. 

Consider these verses from 1 Timothy:

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  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 2:1-4 NASB)

God has really been using these verses to speak to my heart this week.

Prayers. For all people.  For kings and all who are in authority.

There's nothing in this verse that lets us off the hook when we don't agree with those in authority.  Or when they are from a different political party.  Or when we didn't vote for them.  Or even when we just plain don't like them!

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when Nero was the emperor of Rome.  The letter to Timothy was intended to be shared with other Christians.  Therefore,  not just Timothy but all Christians were being instructed to pray for those in authority over them.  In other words, in that particular time period, to pray for Nero, well-known as a persecutor of Christians!

Fast forward to the twenty-first century in America.  The instruction still applies.

It isn't an instruction to pray for our favorite people.  Or our family.  Or our neighbors.  Although praying for all those is an important thing, a good thing, to do.

The instruction from this particular passage is to pray for those in authority over us.  The context is praying for those in governmental positions of authority.

Not because we like them.  Or because we voted for them.  Or because we agree with them.  Or because we are from the same political party or share the same political opinions. 

We pray for them because we are instructed to do so.  Because it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God."  And because it benefits us to do so:  "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

It may not be an easy thing to do.  But it's the right thing to do.

And no one ever said doing the right thing would be easy!