I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1Tim 2:1-4
It's 2024 and we are having a presidential election. Funny how that happens every 4 years. As usual there is the vitriol from the right and left saying each other's candidate is the worst thing for America. It's so easy to see the other side as enemies and spend our time praying that our candidate, God's clear choice, gets in. On a side note, I've often encouraged people to rethink their religion on the basis of do you believe because your parents raised you in that faith or do you believe it because you have examined it to be true? Most people blindly accept their family's faith, but I'm pretty convinced more people accept their family's politics blindly.
This passage tells us that we should not be praying against the other side but for
#1. Their salvation - I actually think Trump is more hardened to salvation than Kamala. He was just at a prayer rally with over 50,000 people praying for him to get elected and he was there and posted a video on Twitter. He continues to be in the presence of Christians yet refuses to commit his life to the Lord and evidence it by his behavior. But then again, how many times did it take Nebuchadnezzar to finally humble himself before the Lord. Kamala has been rejected by Christians and probably has rejected the gospel less times. We were just in the mountains fishing and the guide told us the more remote you go the easier it is to catch the trout because they don't reject the lure as easily as they have never seen it before. Do you get my fishers of men analogy? Pray for our leaders' salvations. God is not willing that any should perish.
#2. That they might keep us at peace - War is horrendous and although I'm not a pacifist, killing fellow creations of God should be a last resort. I don't want my grandkids to be drafted. I was one year from being drafted for Viet Nam. Also for peace in our streets and communities that the leaders would restrain evil and violence from within our nation. Pray for a strong yet humble and moral police force. I have one, Nate Wyrick, in my Sunday School class and if all the police were like him, you would never hear a call for defunding.
#3. That they might restore quietness - I hate to say it but if Trump gets in we will have 4 more years of attempted impeachments ... basically he will bring anger out from the left and will be the center of everything news. If Harris gets in, pray that the right might honor her and submit to her authority unless it violates the Bible. But I look forward to the election being over and hopefully more quiet. I can't call my family without hearing political rhetoric and I just long to live a peaceful quiet life.