I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be
made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; 1 Tim 2:1-2 (KJV)
First
of all, Paul tells us that we are to make various types of prayers for all men,
and for all those in authority. We are to make supplications, that is specific
prayers to meet a supply, a specific need in people’s lives. Perhaps the most
general one that we can pray is for the realization of Christ’s salvation to
come to the mind of every man and woman in the world. We are to make prayers, a
general term. Intercessions, specifically pleading or praying on behalf of
another. Giving thanks. All four of these types of prayers are to made for all
men and those in authority. It is important that thankfulness be a component of
this because with praise and thanksgiving we enter the presence of the Lord
(Psalm ). The core focus of this verser, however, simply seems to be that
we are to pray for others before ourselves. Including those that are in authority:
kings, governors, rulers, presidents, congress, UN, and more. We may not agree
with these organizations and authorities, but we are still called by God pray
for them. And just think, our prayers may have an impact we would never expect,
like seeing an ungodly president coming to Christ and confessing his sin before
the whole nation and the mercy and grace and forgiveness and new life that he
has found in Jesus Christ. That is my prayer, what is yours?
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and honesty.
Why
does Paul say that we are to pray this way? So that we may lead (live, walk,
practice) a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness (Christ-likeness,
holiness, sanctification, dependence on God, seeking the Lord, right living)
and honesty. People all around us crave a quiet and peaceable life, don’t they?
Well Paul is saying that as Christians, through these types of prayers we are
to model that type of life. And not only to model quietness and peaceableness,
but to live in such a that we walk in all godliness and honesty.
