Problems are for Solving

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, ESV)

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that no matter who you voted for you should be praying for President-elect Obama. Why?

Paul, in the verse I’ve quoted above exhorts that prayers be made for all people, specifically for “kings and all who are in high positions.” And he tells us why: “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” And then he goes on to talk about the Gospel and Jesus Christ the one mediator between God and man.

So why should we want a peaceful and quiet life? So that we can preach the Gospel! So that people would come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

When Bill Clinton was President of the United States, it would often bother me how many Christians would spend so much time complaining about him. I can actually only remember one time (in a sermon) that anyone mentioned praying for him. Now Clinton was not an honorable man, nor do I believe that he was honest nor a faithful Christian. But irrespective of that he was the president, and God tells us to pray for all people in high places.

So today, and every day from now until January, 2013 when there may be another president, pray for Barack Obama. Pray that God would use him to make a way for Christians to lead a peaceful and quiet life, so that the Gospel may be preached. Pray that God would convert him in the same powerful way as was Nebuchadnezzar.

And don’t stop there.

Pray for Nancy Pelosi. For Harry Reid. For your governor. Your state legislators. Your congressmen and senators. Pray for all those in high places so that you may live a peaceful and quiet life. And God, who holds the heart of the king in His hands, will hear that prayer and may be merciful to give us that peace and quiet, whether we deserve it or not.

And don’t stop there.

Whether the peace and quiet comes or not, both in word and deed proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ of salvation to horrid sinners like you and me to every creature.

May God bring a prayerful heart to every one of us, and may He be merciful to give us a peaceful and quiet life, and may we respond with faithfulness in the proclamation of the Gospel of Peace!

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