As Paul continued his letter
of instruction to Timothy, he exhorted him “that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men;”. Before Timothy engaged
in any other task, he was to be a man of prayer. In chapter two and
verse two of his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote specifically for whom
Timothy should be praying, and he gave him the reason why he should
intercede where we read:
For kings, and for
all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in
all godliness and honesty.
The
verse begins, “For
kings, and for all that are in authority;”
Paul wrote,“For Kings”
which refers to “leaders of the people, princes, commanders
and lords of the land” as the
first people for which Timothy was to pray and intercede.
Whether these people held the title of “King”, “President”,
“Chief”, Commander” or another name for the top leader, Timothy
was to begin his prayer for “all men” with them. Paul
added, “and for all” which means “each, every, any, the
whole and everyone” “that are in authority” or
“elevation, pre-eminence and superiority”. The idea is
“excellence”, and those who rule “in authority” are in
positions of “excellence” and should be among the list of those
for whom Timothy prayed.
The verse continues, “that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Paul gave the reason that
Timothy should pray for leaders, “that we may lead”
which literally means to “go, send or lead across” and refers to
“living or passing through” “a quiet” or
“tranquil” “and peaceable”
which means “undisturbed” “life”
or “period or course of living”. Paul added, “in all
godliness” which means
“reverence, respect and piety towards God” “and
honesty” or “the characteristic of a thing or person which
entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity, honor
and purity”. The benefit of Timothy praying for the leaders and
leadership who were governing over him and his people was that they
might live “tranquil” and “undisturbed” lives.
While we ponder Paul's
words, we may be inclined to assent to and agree with his instruction
to Timothy. However, do we actually take the time to pray and
intercede for our leader? Do we pray for those who are in authority
and in positions of “excellence” who rule over us? Some might
argue with policies and ways of governing from these leaders, but we
do not see Paul making an exception for those. Let us allow Paul's
words to Timothy to be an inspiration to us to “pray” for
our leader and those in authority that we may live in “peace”
as we remember that ultimately the Lord Jesus rules over them all.
Next
time Paul shares how prayer is “good
and acceptable”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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