Praying for those that may even hate God

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  

Application: I believe in taking the stewardship of our freedoms and citizenship very seriously, yet I do find that it seems we have crossed the line too far when it comes to how we deal with authorities over us. Yes, we should be active participants in our government, if we live in a country that affords us those freedoms. Paul mentions here those in government and authority over us, that we should be in prayer for them. Here we have an opportunity to be again in the world but not of the world.  We have a stewardship as citizens of the country we live in. The government and culture represents us so we should be active participants if in the very least, living in obedience and at peace with our rulers and representatives. As individuals, God may even lead some of His children to become involved personally and that must be decided by each individual. However, again the church as a whole is obligated to be an example to the world, though we do not depend on the world’s system to effect change first and foremost. We should do what You lead us to do Lord, but before we protest, or call our lawyer, or threaten our representative with loss of property or support, we need to FIRST bring these leaders before Your throne in prayer. We need to beseech You, to intervene into their heart and make Yourself known to them. We need to love them enough to be concerned about their eternal condition. Sometimes, we are so irritated with the sinful direction they take a nation, that we forget they are sinners separated from You, doomed eternally unless they repent and turn to Christ. Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for them as much as for us! We cannot forget that. Paul uses several of the words for prayer in the New Testament to emphasis his desire for us to remember our leaders before Your throne:

Entreaties - δέησις déēsis; to make known one’s particular need; want. In the NT, supplication or prayer for particular benefits, petition for oneself (Luke 1:13; Phil. 4:6; Heb. 5:7; 1 Pet. 3:12; Job 27:9; Ps. 39:12; 40:2; 1 Kgs. 8:28, 30);

~ in behalf of others (Phil. 1:19; James 5:16);

~ with hupér on behalf of (Rom. 10:1; 2 Cor. 1:11; 9:14; Phil. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:1);

Prayers -  προσευχή proseuchḗ; to offer prayer to God.

Petitions -  ἔντευξις énteuxis; A falling in with, meeting with, coming together, intercession, prayer, address to God for oneself or others (1 Tim. 2:1; 4:5, prayer according to God’s will).

Thanksgivings - εὐχαριστία eucharistía; thankful, grateful, well–pleasing. Gratitude, thankfulness, thanksgiving ^[1]

We need to be actively seeking Your influence in these leaders lives and decisions. That includes thanking You for appointing them leaders over us, though we may not see it, Your plan includes them. Even the evil ones. So, we will not thank You for the sin they commit, we should thank You that in Your plan and wisdom, You have chosen to lift them up into leadership. Remind us Holy Spirit to not fail at this important stewardship of prayer.

Meditation Questions: How often do you pray for leaders in your nation? Especially the ones you don’t like? Do you thank God for the government you live in? How do we balance our responsibilities as citizens of a nation, and citizens of heaven? What is an Ambassador? What are his responsibilities to the nation he is working in? If someone were to ask people you know – “Who’s interests do you watch out for?” what would their answer be.

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.