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 Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
The British general election is over, and the nation is gradually digesting what this might mean.
We are a seriously divided nation - there is triumphant joy on the one hand, and incredulous disappointment on the other.
As Christians it is natural - and right - to remind ourselves that God is ultimately in control, and that what at the moment seems so earth-shattering will take on a different perspective with the passing of time. Also, to remind ourselves that God is able to bring good out of bad (and by “bad” I mean the state of our nation; I’m not making any comment about the election result).
But I think it’s specially appropriate to highlight Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2 - his urging that we should pray for “kings and all those in authority”.
A simple point: to pray for someone doesn’t necessarily imply approval of them or support for them. It’s simply to obey God’s word.
I had this brought home to me many years ago one Sunday when I had offered prayer in our morning service for the then prime minister. I was virtually told off afterwards by someone in the congregation: “I don’t know how you could bring yourself to pray for that man!”
How wrong could you be! How massive can a misunderstanding be! Nowhere in the Bible is there any suggestion that we should only pray for people we like! Indeed, on the contrary, surely it’s leaders that we might most strongly disagree with who need our prayers most? If they are wrong, don’t we believe that our prayers can make a difference?
Paul points out that to do this is in fact in our own best interests: “...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...”. I don’t think he’s suggesting that we should be thinking only of ourselves: no, national and international concerns are far more important. But the fact is that when God hears the prayers of his people for the wider world, they themselves are likely to receive a blessing, if only in the form of a spin-off.
As I look back over the last couple of years I feel rather guilty: how often did I remember to pray for the nation? You may feel the same. Who knows? - if we had been more serious about prayer in the first place, our nation may not have ended up in the confusion, division and acrimony that we are presently experiencing.
Forgive me for stating the obvious, and for reiterating what many others, both Christians and non-Christians, have already said, but this is a time for Christians to be calm, peaceful, and prayerful. Jesus tells us, after all, that “blessed are the peace-makers” (Matthew 5:9).
So, let’s spell it out... if we are on the “winning” side: no gloating, but humility, respect and a desire for reconciliation. And if we are on the “losing” side: faith, graciousness, respect and dignity.
And whatever side we are on: no slanging matches (including those via social media), no recriminations or insults, no triumphalism or despair - for when we say that God is in control we are not just trotting out a cliché, but speaking the sober truth.
And most of all: a commitment to prayer, in obedience to God’s word.
Father, we pray for our nation at this time of division and anger. Out of all that is bad at the present time, please bring something good and wholesome. Amen.
The British general election is over, and the nation is gradually digesting what this might mean.
We are a seriously divided nation - there is triumphant joy on the one hand, and incredulous disappointment on the other.
As Christians it is natural - and right - to remind ourselves that God is ultimately in control, and that what at the moment seems so earth-shattering will take on a different perspective with the passing of time. Also, to remind ourselves that God is able to bring good out of bad (and by “bad” I mean the state of our nation; I’m not making any comment about the election result).
But I think it’s specially appropriate to highlight Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2 - his urging that we should pray for “kings and all those in authority”.
A simple point: to pray for someone doesn’t necessarily imply approval of them or support for them. It’s simply to obey God’s word.
I had this brought home to me many years ago one Sunday when I had offered prayer in our morning service for the then prime minister. I was virtually told off afterwards by someone in the congregation: “I don’t know how you could bring yourself to pray for that man!”
How wrong could you be! How massive can a misunderstanding be! Nowhere in the Bible is there any suggestion that we should only pray for people we like! Indeed, on the contrary, surely it’s leaders that we might most strongly disagree with who need our prayers most? If they are wrong, don’t we believe that our prayers can make a difference?
Paul points out that to do this is in fact in our own best interests: “...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...”. I don’t think he’s suggesting that we should be thinking only of ourselves: no, national and international concerns are far more important. But the fact is that when God hears the prayers of his people for the wider world, they themselves are likely to receive a blessing, if only in the form of a spin-off.
As I look back over the last couple of years I feel rather guilty: how often did I remember to pray for the nation? You may feel the same. Who knows? - if we had been more serious about prayer in the first place, our nation may not have ended up in the confusion, division and acrimony that we are presently experiencing.
Forgive me for stating the obvious, and for reiterating what many others, both Christians and non-Christians, have already said, but this is a time for Christians to be calm, peaceful, and prayerful. Jesus tells us, after all, that “blessed are the peace-makers” (Matthew 5:9).
So, let’s spell it out... if we are on the “winning” side: no gloating, but humility, respect and a desire for reconciliation. And if we are on the “losing” side: faith, graciousness, respect and dignity.
And whatever side we are on: no slanging matches (including those via social media), no recriminations or insults, no triumphalism or despair - for when we say that God is in control we are not just trotting out a cliché, but speaking the sober truth.
And most of all: a commitment to prayer, in obedience to God’s word.
Father, we pray for our nation at this time of division and anger. Out of all that is bad at the present time, please bring something good and wholesome. Amen.
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