SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim. 2:1-2 NLT I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
THOUGHT: Timothy was a young pastor in a fledgling, new faith. But Paul saw someone worth investing in, and so he made a big investment of time and training and love. So, when Paul said “this is important,” Timothy listened. And what Paul taught him was to pray for all people, and not just pray, intercede! Ask God to help them, and what’s more, give thanks for them!
Everyone included kings and everyone in authority – and why? So the trickle-down effect would reach us – color our lives (as well as others’) with peace and quiet, godliness and dignity. Sounds pretty good in this day and age, doesn’t it? And so we must pray for them all, whether we agree with them, want them in authority, or like anything about them. We pray for them so our lives might also look like what we pray for.
PRAYER: Jesus, you taught that God loves the whole world, not just our little corner, and your life, death and resurrection were proof of that. Help us teach our Timothy’s to pray for all people, and not just pray, but follow our lead (and yours) into deep intercession and thanksgiving.
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