Observation: Paul begins to give Timothy instructions for how the church in Ephesus should overall operate, and this is the first instruction, that they should pray for everyone, including "kings and all those in authority". This means, Paul was telling the largest city in Asia Minor that they should pray for the wellbeing of Ceasar, of the Proconsul of the region, for their 'city council' that was allowed to operate and run Ephesus, and for a group of leaders called the 'Asianarchs' who ran much of the city economy and some associated cults and games in the city.
This is a great diversity of people, not all of whom are in alignment with each other, and all of whom are likely not supporters of an upstart religious sect like Christianity. However, collectively these groups ran the city, and going back to Paul's other themes, if they succeed in how the run the city, Ephesus will prosper, and if Ephesus prospers the Christians in Ephesus can prosper, and if the Christians individually prosper the church can prosper, and if the church in Ephesus prospers they can aid other Christian communities.
However that implicit chain of logic is considered, it begins with one simple idea ... pray for kings and those in authority. It doesn't matter who they are. Paul doesn't qualify to "pray for leaders you like" or "pray for leaders who are themselves Christian" or "pray for leaders to manipulate them to do Christian things". He just says ... pray for these leaders, and the result will be peaceful and quiet lives, within which we may live our Christian lives in godliness and holiness.
Application: In our day and age, this should be a 'sign' of who Christians are. Jesus said others will know we are his disciples by our love for one another. Paul is likewise saying that a sign of being a Christian should be that we pray for our society's leaders.
We don't have to agree with them, and we don't have to pray for the success of their political agendas. However, at the very least, we shouldn't be cursing them personally.
We can care about those political agendas. I know I have cared about acts taken by leaders that were a clear and obvious attack on Christianity (and there HAVE been such attacks perpetrated by our government). However, I have still even prayed for those individuals. They are people, and if the Lord could adjust their hearts our lives could all be peaceful.
I believe that anyone who is attacking government leaders on a personal level - attacking them as people - is acting in a manner opposed to Christian values. I believe that anyone who prays for the wellbeing of government leaders - their personal wellbeing ignoring their political agendas - is acting in a manner aligned to Christian values.
Prayer: Lord, I do again pray for our government leaders. I struggle with where our culture is going, and often where policies are headed, but it would be wonderful if our leaders had softer hearts, harder feet, and a willingness to love one another. Please lead our leaders, Lord. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment