“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. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

Four things to notice about this passage:

1. The Charge is Serious. (1) First of all, I urge…  This resembles Samuel as he prayed for Israel even when they rejected God as being king over them (1 Samuel 12:23).
2. The Charge has a Broad Scope. (1-2) …that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…
3. The Charge has several Motivations (2-6)
   1. The Glory of God (2-3)
   2. The Cross of Christ (6)
   3. The Pattern of the Mediator (5)
4. The Charge has several Biblical demonstrations
   1. Abraham (Genesis 18:24), prayed for Sodom.
   2. Moses (Exodus 32:11-14), prayed for disobendient Israel.
   3. Elijah (1 Kings 18), prayed that God would show himself to idolatrous Israel.
   4. Jesus (Hebrews 7:25) lives to make intercession.

I hope that this post finds you ready to pray for the new President of the United States and that you won’t neglect this key part of honoring God and helping people. (James 4:17)