I Timothy 2:1-7
Another oft-quoted verse: [God] … desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (v. 4)
A challenge for us today: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for … kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (vv. 1-2) …challenging, especially here in Kentucky where we get it from both sides of the political aisle. If you are a Democrat, you have problems with President Trump. If you are a Republican, you have problems with Governor Beshear. So a suggestion that we need to pray for both Trump and Beshear becomes (clearly) half-hearted for many of us – yes, we can do the supplications, prayers, and intercessions. But “thanksgivings”…!! Pretty difficult!! So read the verses again and decide for yourself!
Paul follows up these two verses with a “lynchpin” truth: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus… (v. 5) I can’t imagine that Jesus is going to intercede for us in our prayers for Trump and ignore our prayers for Beshear. Neither would He (I’m guessing) intercede in our prayers for Beshear and ignore our prayers for Trump. He knows that both men are in power over us – He put them there: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:1-2) So, again, read the verses again and decide for yourself!
Slava Bohu!
Yes, Fred, this is a time for “what does Jesus say?”
I pondered the list: supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving. I am used to thinking that the term “prayer” encompassed the other three, rather than being something in addition to the others. Perhaps Paul is thinking of prayer as praise? Or maybe silence just listening to God?