Praying for those who govern

"I exhort 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." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

"First of all." Paul puts intercession for those in authority at the head of his list, and it is worth remembering which authorities he means. This is under Nero. The man Paul asks the church to pray for will have Christians executed, and will have Paul himself executed.

That settles one question in advance: the instruction does not depend on the quality of the ruler. Nor does it depend on your agreement with him. Praying for a man is not endorsing what he does — it is refusing to hand him over to anyone but God.

Notice too the range of words: supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks. The fourth is surprising. Give thanks concerning those who govern? Not for their failures. For what holds anyway: a passable road, an open school, a court that functions every other day. Something always holds, and seeing it keeps bitterness from covering everything.

The stated goal is modest, and that is what strikes hardest: "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life." Paul is not asking for national prosperity or the conversion of the palace. He asks for peace — the ordinary space in which you can work, raise your children and preach the gospel without being troubled. It is a small thing. It is enormous when you do not have it.

And that tells you what kind of prayer this is: a practical one. We do not pray for leaders out of civic duty. We pray because what they decide opens or shuts the door on everything else.

Tonight. Name three concrete authorities — not "the government," but three specific offices or names, from your neighbourhood chief to the head of state. Ask for wisdom and the fear of God for each. And for just one of the three, find a reason to give thanks.

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