◄ What Does 1 Timothy 2:2 Mean? ►

Prayer is a precious privilege that all who are born from above have received from Almighty God. We have been given access to the Lord's heavenly throne-room... for mercy to find help in time of need.

Prayer can be powerful - but prayer is simply the means we have been given to approach our Heavenly Father, in faith... for God alone is the power behind our prayer. It is not the flowery language we use that is important to the Lord. Nor is it the meaningless repetition of a string of religious words or some man-inspired 'declaration' to which God responds. It is a heart that trusts in His power to save which moves the heart of our mighty God. The Lord is the One Who hears our pleas and it is by His power that He answers our cries.

We are exhorted to pray to our Father Who is in heaven and are enabled by the Spirit of God to pray without ceasing - in spirit and in truth. Indeed, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, since we do not know how to pray as we should. For He, Himself, intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And we are exhorted to pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, for He is the one and only Mediator between God and man - He is the only arbitrator between man and God.

Christ gave us a pattern of prayer, and He instructed us to pray to the Father. We can bend the knee before our God or we can lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting. We can go into our closet and shut the door and pray to our Heavenly Father in secret or we pray openly, pray anywhere, and pray everywhere.

But here in first Timothy, we are told WHO to pray for. Paul urges that prayer requests, intercessions, and thanksgiving, be made for ALL men and we are given a list of specific people to pray for, "for kings and all who are in authority." We are to pray for leaders and the rulers of our nations - both the good and wise leadership and our tyrannical and evil overlords.

We are to pray for church leaders and those that educate our children. We are to pray for those in authority at home and work - for queen and parliament - for president and congress - for judges, commanders, bosses, and the heads of our families.

And we are told WHY we need to pray earnestly and regularly, "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life, in all godliness and dignity." God is the One Who sets up rulers, and He is the One Who removes them.

God often hears the petitions of His people as we cry to Him for godly rulers, but at times He allows ungodly leadership to be appointed to bring His people to repentance and to return the wandering soul to the God of their salvation.

And God has promised that if His people who are called by His name will humble themselves and pray, and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Let us never forget that God hears and answers our prayers and uses all things, both the good and the evil, to work together for our benefit and for the honour of His name. Let us make sure that today, and for the rest of our life on earth, we offer entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, on behalf of all men. And let us pray for kings and all who are in authority so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life - in all godliness and dignity.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God Who hears and answers the prayers of Your children that are offered in humility of heart and a trusting, dependent faith. I lift up the leaders of our own nation and pray that You would hear my plea for godly leadership. Forgive us that as a nation, we have strayed so far from You. I ask that, in Your grace, You would give us leaders that trust Your name and honour Your laws. Lord, I acknowledge that until Jesus is reigning as King of kings, the world cannot live in peace and safety, but I pray that in Your grace, You would give us and our children - and our children's children, a quiet life in all godliness and dignity with leaders that will not compromise the truth of Your Word. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.