For a person of faith, prayer is at the center of life. Sometimes though it’s hard to know what to pray for, how to pray, or why to keep praying. Am I just praying to get what I want? Am I praying to avoid consequences?
Is my praying making a difference, is it worth it?
I ask those questions, maybe you do to. There’s always more to learn about prayer. These words by the Apostle Paul are instructive to me, especially in light of these politically charged and religiously polarizing times:
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. [1Timothy 2:1-4, NIV]
Here’s a couple of observations on the role prayer plays in living in peace and making a difference.
First, St. Paul urges Timothy and the Christians in Ephesus to pray “for all people.” No discrimination there! Ask God to bless, give thanks for, request help on behalf of everyone – friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, strangers and enemies.
Second, the apostle makes a special point to tell Christians to pray and give thanks “for kings and all those in authority.” This is a radical idea.
In Paul’s day, wicked Emperor Nero ruled the Roman world, and the city of Ephesus where Timothy pastored was the religious home to the influential Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Also, the church of Ephesus was being taken over by divisive, envious leaders.
Third: notice one of the reasons Paul gives for this instruction – “so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
There is much to unpack here, but I’ll focus on this: in light of the grievances and anger we might have towards unjust or unholy authorities, we can be consumed by grief or also fill our hearts with gratitude.
If we want a godly peace to prevail in our spirit, when we pray it can’t just be for revenge, it also must be for blessing our enemies. That’s what God the Savior does.
All that God created is good, and is to be used for good. God wants to save people from their ungood sins, from their pride and greed, their anger and envy.
And God wants truth to prevail, for lies to be exposed, for communities to be attuned to ultimate reality and live with a courage that furthers the good flourishing for all.
When you live in a place where injustice seems to prevail, where violence is constant, where the powerful enslave or crush the weak and ill, and you try to resist it, to pray and make a difference, to not be consumed by the culture of death – what can you do?
This is what marked the struggles of the early church, as they strove to set themselves apart.
Like us, they had to keep their eyes on Christ Jesus, who grew up a day laborer in oppressed Galilee, who offered up his life as a ransom for sinners and was resurrected on the third day, commanding God’s people to proclaim forgiveness of sins for all people.
That’s a remarkable God and an inspiring calling.
When you pray for the kings of the world, presidents of countries and companies, senators and city mayors, and anyone else who wields power and influence in your community – pray for their salvation from sin and give thanks for their spirit.
Keep your eyes on the Lord who has immense patience with everyone, who wants all the world to be healed from violence more than we do.
Pray and give thanks for all, even for kings and authorities that further injustice.
Keep your eyes on the Lord who strives to make peace with all, who wants all to be saved and know the truth.
Don’t give up on peace, on living in godliness and holiness.
Pray for peace, then do it.
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