First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

We are called to be a praying people praying for all people.

What can we pray for them?  For their salvation.

We are exhorted to pray for kings.

Paul prayed for Nero, the Roman emperor, who was to execute him a few years later after writing this epistle.

Jesus said, “Pray for your enemies.” (Matt 5:44)

The Jews in exile were to pray for their Babylonian captors (Jer 29:7).

Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and to pray for the life of the king and his sons (Ezra 6:10).

Josephus, the Jewish historian, wrote about how the Jews refused to pray for their Roman magistrates.  They used to offer a lamb daily for the Roman emperor until the Zealots instigated them to cease this practice.  This eventually led to the rebellion against Rome which ended in their destruction as a nation.

It is our duty to pray for our government and those in authority.

Pray for our president, prime ministers, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, justices, judges, civil service officers, police officers, army officers, civil defense officers.

Pray that they will govern our country with justice and equity.

Pray for their salvation too.

Pray that we may have peace in our country.  When there is peace in the country, we have opportunities to preach the Gospel.

God desires all to be saved.  He is unwilling that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).

Let’s pray.  

(MT)