Requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for kings and all who are in authority

1 Timothy 2 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed as a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ¹¹ A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ¹³ For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer. ¹⁵ But women will be preserved through childbirth—if they continue in faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

In 1 Corinthians 7, when Paul is speaking about marriage and divorce, he specifies that some things are what he says and other things are what the Lord says. In today’s text when speaking about women he says: I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.  He says, “I want” and “I do not allow.” In 2 Timothy 3:16 he says: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.  If we look at all scripture, both Old Testament and New, there is plenty of evidence to reinforce the role of women in the church. It is not my desire to debate that in this meditation.

Instead, in today’s text it says: I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in 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 wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.  While we are right, as Christians to, oppose the policies and actions of some who are in authority, it is still vital that we pray and intercede for them. God wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. In John 14:6 Jesus says: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”  The best path to a peaceful and tranquil life is for all those in authority to come to know the way and the truth, to come to know Jesus, who gave His life as a ransom for all.

Not only though are we to pray and intercede for those in authority, we are to give thanks on their behalf. We can begin as Daniel did in Daniel 2:20-21 saying: “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding.” We thank God for them, knowing that nothing that happens outside of His sovereign authority. We pray as Jesus taught us to pray, that whether through those in authority, or in spite of them, God’s kingdom would come and His will would be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

In Matthew 10:16-20 Jesus says: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.”  In Acts 1:8 He says: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” In Matthew 5:10-16 Jesus says: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Our greatest testimony to the world and those in authority, is the light of Christ shining through us.

Thank You heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ and precious Holy Spirit. May Your church rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit to be Your witnesses, testifying of the truth and the way, so that all would come to know Jesus. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done as we shine Your light in the world. Amen.