First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone 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—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
These verses tell us how we should be praying for the authority and leadership of our nations, our states, our cities, our towns, our communities, our churches, our homes.
1. Petitions:
Pray for a specific need - a heart-felt deep personal need
2. Prayers:
Directed God-ward - both on an individual and congregational level: in a quiet place and in a meeting together place
3. Intercessions
Intervention led by God, marking intersection between heaven and earth as it reflects the Lord's specific will.
4. Thanksgivings
Thankfulness, gratitude for God's grace
With the end result being that we 'lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.' (verse 2)
Verses 3-4 denote why we should pray in such a manner, while verses 5-6 emphasize the omnipotence and sovereignty of God and His Mediator Jesus Christ.
Mediator: an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). A reconciler.
Romans 5:9-11 & Colossians 1:21-23
Reconciled by Christ Jesus through His death and His life
How can we love one another like Christ loves us, if we do allow the love of God through Christ Jesus to change us? We can't. Nor can we have faithful to God's Word leaders if we do not pray for them in this manner.
Self-love is not the way to a better life. A self-oriented lifestyle is not a God-oriented lifestyle. Submission to God is a wonderful way to live our lives. It is a life lived in joy. Even though trials and grief are a part of life, joy is still evident when we abide in Christ as He lives in us.
And so we pray for our leaders. We pray to God for His *good and acceptable will: *Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
* Romans 12:1
*Matthew 6:10
