Priorities are at the top of the list.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – 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. This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
When someone tells you to do something first, how do you respond? For some, when they consider today’s verses, their response to “first of all” is ‘sure, sure, when I get around to it.” That doesn’t sound like much of a priority, does it?
Today’s admonition was part of the Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy on being a good pastor and Christian leader. You first hear of Timothy when he became Paul’s disciple, later his constant companion and co-worker. He was a firm evangelist, and would later become the first Christian bishop of Ephesus. The apocryphal Acts of Timothy states that in AD 97, the then 80-year old Timothy tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel. The angry Ephesian Diana-worshippers beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death.
During his lifetime, Timothy saw the reign of several Roman Caesars including Titus, Caligula, Claudius and Nero, none of whom had any fondness for those in the Christian faith…and some, like Nero, openly persecuting them. Other rulers followed Nero in quick succession, with conditions becoming no better in the political arena. Yet Paul, under the wise guidance of the Holy Spirit, told Timothy to pray first of all for them.
Whatever the disposition is toward Christians of the president who is elected in November, it is just as imperative for you as it was for the Christians of the first century, to pray for them…for prayer brings quiet, peace, godlinesss, and dignity to your life, and it pleases God. Could there be a better reason?
Pray With Us
Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we can learn from the earliest leaders of those who believe in Jesus. Thank You for the endurance of Your Holy Word. May I remember to take to heart the strong urging to pray first for those in authority over us. And so today I pray for the men who would be president, for their campaigns to be safe as they continue on their journeys toward the election, for them to remain in health, and for the result to be Your man for the job. Thank You, in Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
