The apostle Paul writes instructions to his protégé, Timothy, and includes in his pastoral directions guidance regarding the appropriate stance Christians (in particular) should take toward those in authority over them. 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 (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
The campaigning has ended. We have cast our votes and made our decisions. We have results of those choices on every level from local to national. Now it is time to pray. And may I be so bold as to point out the grammar of Paul’s instruction in this regard? Note the prepositions. He counsels us to pray “for” all who are in high positions.
“For,” not against. On behalf of, for their good, with positive effect. It is a bold invitation, given the times in which these words were written, when men and women of Christian faith would soon be used as human torches to light the garden parties of Roman emperors.
Bold words, yes, but timely and necessary, and the perfect accompaniment to these words from the same inspired instructor: 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. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed (Romans 13:1-7, ESV).
Did you catch the import of those sentences? The authorities that exist exist by the will of God for our good. With that in mind, Paul urges us to pray for those in authority over us, especially for those in high positions. Sure, it’s a free country. You can gripe and complain and rant and rave and fill your Facebook status with prophecies of doom, or you can pray for those to whom God has assigned positions of authority, whoever they are and whatever authority they yield.
How might we pray “for” leaders? First, we can be thankful for them. They weren’t your choice? Okay, fine. Now do the hard work of finding a reason to give thanks for them. Cultivating a thankful heart is good work and builds character. Finding a reason to be thankful may be all about discovering the purpose of God and learning to appreciate His wisdom in all the seasons of life.
Second, ask that the wise and loving God, who is perfect justice and compassion, will manifest something of His character in the leader for whom you are praying. Finally, pray for their good, for their personal and professional experience of what is good and honorable and noble and godly and joy producing. Why not ask God to make their jobs a source of delight for them?
And the good news? I believe God hears and answers prayer that is offered with humility in sincere obedience, because he loves us and desires that we have what is best for us. Let’s pray, shall we?
Each month the clergy of the Cook County Ministerium offer spiritual reflections. This week’s contributor is Pastor Dale McIntire with The Good News. Pastor McIntire has served as pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais since April of 1995.
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