Readings for today: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26, 1 Timothy 2, Psalms 87, Proverbs 25:18-19
“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, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.“ (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Do you believe God wants to save Donald Trump? Do you believe God wants to save Hilary Clinton? Do you believe God wants to save Xi Jinping or Kim Jong-Un? Do you believe God wants to save your senator or representative? What about the man or woman serving in your state assembly? Town Council? School board?
Politics has a way of bringing out the worst in us. Our Twitter feeds are full of condemnations of those with whom we disagree. We live in a “call-out” culture where self-proclaimed watchdogs take advantage of every opportunity to go on the attack. We assassinate character. We impugn motives. We assume the absolute worst about people. All sides of the political equation are guilty. And all they are doing is playing to the masses. There’s a reason most of the cable news shows have devolved into opinion segments. We don’t really want hard news. We want to live in an echo chamber where our own views are expressed without being challenged. It’s comforting to us to know there are others who hold our opinions. It’s like a warm blanket that makes us feel safe.
Now imagine you live in Timothy’s world. A young pastor serving a new church in a city called Ephesus where the introduction of the Christian faith caused a riot. Upended the economy. Made you very unpopular with the locals. Talk about a tough job. It would be easy to retreat. To pull back. To go into hiding. It would be easy to attack your enemies. To work against the authorities. To subvert the empire. It would be tempting to call down fire on those who are actively persecuting you. Curse the Romans who are seeking to abuse, torture, and kill many in your congregation. But then you get this letter from your spiritual mentor. Paul encourages you to go the other way. To pray for all people. Especially kings and those in authority. He challenges Timothy to pray in faith for the salvation of all who would believe. Jews and Gentiles. Romans and barbarians. Slave and free. It’s a bold call and it sounds so like Jesus.
Imagine what would happen if we spent as much time praying as we did scrolling through social media? Imagine what would happen if we prayed for our leaders and those in authority rather than constantly subject them to our withering attacks? Imagine if it didn’t matter what political party was in power or who lived in the White House or who donned the robes of the Supreme Court? Imagine if those in power received the full prayer support of Christians all over the country? Imagine if instead of complaining about their decision-making, we prayed for wisdom? Imagine if instead of attacking them over their arrogance and pride, we prayed for humility? Imagine if instead of killing them over the mistakes they inevitably make, we prayed for conviction? And imagine if - after praying - we then re-engaged the public sphere and lovingly confronted our leaders with the truth of the gospel?
The call to prayer is not a call to passivity. It’s not a call to inaction. It’s not a retreat. It’s a way for us to get our own hearts right before the Lord. To check our motives and make sure they align with Jesus. It’s a way for us to surrender any of our own personal or political agendas to the Lord and let Him guide and direct our steps. The kingdoms of this world rise and fall. They come and go. At their very best, they are still full of corruption and injustice and oppression. Such is true for all human systems. We battle principalities and powers. Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. The only weapons we have are not of the flesh. The weapons of prayer and God’s Word are the only things mighty enough to tear down every stronghold and every high thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
Friends, if you find yourself discouraged by the actions or inactions of our current political leaders…pray. If you find yourself frustrated by the overheated rhetoric that passes for political discourse these days…pray. If you find yourself growing angry or feel the rage building at the injustices perpetrated by any local, state, or national administrations…pray. Cry out to God! Call on Him for salvation! And then fight not just for the soul of our nation but for the souls of those who lead our nation.
Readings for tomorrow: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44, 1 Timothy 3, Psalms 88, Proverbs 25:20-22