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PRAY FOR AUTHORITIES

by Jerry Smith  
3/26/2017 / Devotionals

"For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2, KJV).
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(A) Context
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Paul urges Timothy to pray not only for all men (v1), but also for leaders and those in authority.
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(B) Faith lesson
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The Lord would have us pray for those people He has placed in authority (Romans 13:1). There is no distinguishing between good or bad here. The exhortaion is to simply pray for them.
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In today's climate of holding leaders accountable, the question in my mind, is how often we, as believers, actually heed Paul's urging to Timothy to pray for those who lead us.
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It is a pretty simple idea, as God says in Jeremiah 29:7, "seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace" (KJV).  
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What God is saying, is that if your leaders (from top to bottom / from bottom to top) are doing well (e.g. spiritually, physically, mentally, etc.), then so too will the people they lead benefit with "peace."
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This may be exactly the reason for Paul's "that" clause in the remainder of verse 2. We pray so that (a) leaders will benefit but the fruit thereof is (b) quiet, peaceful, godly, honest lives.
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A second understanding of this, is so that we cannot be called religious zealots as some religions promote, but that we would be seen within our culture as quiet people, as people living in peace, as people living in godlines, and people who are honest - a good reflection of Christ in this world.
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(C) Life Application
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How are we doing in this area of our lives?
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Are we praying for our leaders from top to bottom / bottom to top?
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Are we seeking in those prayers to be Christlike in our lifestyles?

Jerry is a bi-vocational, helping pastor-teacher, Christian life coach, TESOL trainer & manager, author, and freelance writer, with degrees in Christian education, teaching-English, business, theology, and divinity, currently residing in the Philippines. His interests include practical theology.

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