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by Fred Malone
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the Apostle Paul wrote:
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”
Christians are called to pray for kings and all who are in authority. Are you so praying? If not, you should. If you are praying, what are you praying for? Is it about the economy, foreign policy, class warfare, defense, the culture, etc.? Or is it more important things?
Paul instructed Timothy what to teach the Ephesian church about prayers for kings and all who are in authority.
First, Paul instructs that Christians should pray for the soul of the king.
Elsewhere, Paul taught the Romans, under a pagan king called Caesar, that all authority comes from God. Even pagan kings are put in place by God for His purposes. Romans 13:1 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Even as pagan a king as Caesar should be prayed for.
Further, every king has an eternal soul. God desires all sorts of men to be saved (v. 4), including kings. We should pray for that continually. Do you?
Second, Paul instructs Christians to pray for how the king governs.
Christians are to pray that their king will rule justly in such a way that Christians may “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (v. 2). Is that uppermost on your mind as you pray for your leader? That they will govern in such a way that Christians may freely live a godly life in peace? Or are you more concerned about your prosperity, your wages, “a chicken in every pot?”
Different political parties try to attract the vote and support of Christians by appealing to economic and social issues, even religious issues. Very quickly Christians may lose sight of the greatest issue of their life: to live a godly life, to bear witness of Christ’s salvation to others, to raise their children in the nurture and discipline of the Lord, to obey God’s commandments, to be faithful to Christ’s church. With troubles in the country and constant debate over many issues, Paul calls us to pray for our leaders to govern with a higher goal: that Christians may lead a peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. Is this your greater concern?
Yes, economic policy is an issue for Christians to work; yes, social issues must be based upon God’s Ten Commandments; yes, our nation’s defense is necessary for peace. But I wonder; how many Christians are praying for their leaders to provide a country where they can live a more godly life in peace?
Third, Paul commends such prayers for kings as “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (v. 3).
It is not wrong to pray that our government will adopt and govern by laws which are just according to the Ten Commandments. John Calvin so taught. Our forefathers so hoped. It would be wonderful to live in a nation where God’s design for the family was upheld; where people did not murder, commit adultery, steal, and lie; where the government faithfully punished law-breakers and praised law-keepers (Romans 13:1-7). It is not wrong to pray for such things.
However, when Paul commends the prayers for kings to Christians, he understands that the goal of all such prayers should be the extension of the spiritual kingdom of God in the hearts of kings and all men. Only then will righteous behavior bless a country. This kind of prayer is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Fourth, Paul commends Christians to remember that Jesus Christ is presently King of kings.
We should be more concerned with the success of the Kingdom of Christ than the success of any earthly king or kingdom. “My kingdom is not of this world,” He said. No earthly king or kingdom can bring in salvation and holy living according to God’s standards. Paul later added:
1 Timothy 6:12-19 says:
“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time–He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
Yes, our prayers should be for the king’s soul and a tranquil life of religious freedom. But what good is it if you do not use those blessings actually to live a godly life for the glory of God? Would God give us a king for such freedom if we are not using the freedoms and peace we now have to live a godly life? We should pray.
— Prayers for Governing Authorities originally appeared at Founders Ministries.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
The future of technology is the future of America. Rod Martin sees that future clearly, and also sees how to shape it for the betterment of all. He is firmly rooted in the traditions of faith and patriotism that have made America great. That’s why he has made, and will make, so many outstanding contributions in so many areas.
