The Political Blog Disbanded… Thanks, 1 Timothy 2:1-4…
My short-lived political rant blog has been disbanded, and I give a sincere ” 
” to the Apostle Paul for straightening me out.
Every now and then I get fired up about something political, so I got the idea to put my rants on a separate blog so I didn’t offend those stopping by for encouragement regarding addictions, hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Decent idea, but it was completely unnecessary given the context of the verse above. In fact, I realized my entire rationale for creating the blog contradicts what God wants me to be doing with my writing on the web.
Intrigued? No? Well, how about “Bored, and willing to read along”? Alright then…
My wife and I decided to fast watching “Scrubs” this week and instead spend that time reading the Bible together. Some of you may have noticed that my blog posts had been fewer and further in between these past 6 months. I’d like to blame it on baby preparations, but really I just became self-absorbed and hadn’t been spending much time in God’s word. Nothing goes in, nothing comes out. That’s how it works.
We were reading through 1 Timothy and came to the beginning of Chapter 2.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - (2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (3) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Praying for Those in Authority
The first thing that jumped out at me was the prayers and intercession for our leaders. This is an area I could be much stronger in, for sure. I have problems with disobedience and issues with authority figures. Rebellion - let’s call it what it is. I gripe about my bosses, customers, my wife’s bosses, national, state, and local leaders, other nations’ leaders, etc. I quit watching the news because I got so argumentative and riled up over politics. I don’t stick my head in the sand - I work on the Internet so I do scan the headlines, but I just don’t steep my mind in it like a bag for my sun tea.
Giving… Thanks for Those in Authority!?
C’mon God! You mean not only do I have to pray for my boss and leaders, but I have to give thanks for them? This is one area that I really never considered before I read this passage. I know that God puts all leaders in positions for a purpose, and I know that I should give thanks in all circumstances, but I hadn’t put the two together until now.
I’m actually pretty happy about this verse, because just trying to “not be bad” by keeping from griping is tough. It’s like putting fingers in a leaky dam - the water being sin and the dam being a paper-mache like structure of my sinful nature and weak resolve.
Instead I should be doing something positive - Giving thanks for those in authority gets me away from the leaky day and closer to Christ. Giving thanks seems crazy when (insert politician here) does something to tick me off or (insert boss, business partner, or client here) does something to disappoint me, but I’m thinking it will seem more sane after I do it for awhile. God’s truth always works out that way 
Our Peace and Quiet Depends on Praying and Giving Thanks For our Leaders
Look at verse 2 again in that passage.
(2) for kings and all those in authority, THAT we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Paul uses “that,” which is like a “so we may…” This isn’t an optional word like “and we may.” Paul is telling us via the Holy Spirit that praying for those in authority in us is directly related to the degree of peace and quiet in our communities, and the godliness and holiness in our lives.
Just looking around the world from my backyard, to war-torn areas in wherever, we Christians could all use more uplifting prayer for our leaders. I’m talking thankful prayer. My usual prayer for politicians goes like this,
“God please give us Godly leadership to straighten up this situation. Please straighten those leaders while you’re at it. Oh, and thanks for forgiving me even though I’m obviously holding a grudge against my brothers.”
OK, so that’s not the literal prayer, but as you can see my prayers are way more like David’s prayers in the cave than Jesus’ prayers on the cross. Do I want situations to change? Voting makes a difference, but what can I do in the 364 days between elections? Write a gripe blog? No way! I’m taking my fingers out of the dam and heading to high and dry ground!
My wife and I will start with something small and to practice this truth. This Friday when our paychecks go through, we’ll pray over our taxes that are taken out in a positive manner and give thanks for all those in authority over us.
I’m also going to occasionally add a prayer request or praise report regarding leaders (especially difficult ones) in this category titled by the chapter and verse that inspired it - 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Thanks God, for the opportunity to stay accountable on a global basis through the Internet, and for friends so I can stay accountable in person.
Amen brother! I also have had some of my own “discoveries” along this line the last couple of years. Work-wise, I have determined that even though school teaches you to go for the “big” management type jobs - only some people are really made for those jobs.
I’ve learned that for me, that job would be a huge Spirit-buzz killer. I just don’t have the temperment or patience for such work. But the people who become leaders do. We aren’t all hands, or eyes, or legs. We all have our own purpose. So, instead of griping about a boss - I’ve learned to try to do something to help them succeed. If they don’t, I might get stuck with it someday.
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Not mine, but God’s. Leads to a great life.