Skip to main content

Links In A Chain


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. (I Timothy 2:1) 

          For the past eight years, were you praying for Mr. Obama? Were you thankful for him? Was your prayer that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness? Have you started praying regularly for Mr. Trump? Are you thankful for him? Is your prayer that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness?
          I'm not so good at intercession. Two years ago after I came to Florida, I began to pray a blessing on each residence in the park. It expanded to include government officials, including Mr. Obama, and from there to family, church family, neighbors and friends and enemies. When I go back north, I can't seem to build the same habit, so I can't claim to be consistent about it. I keep it simple, I use the Fruit of the Spirit for my blessing so whatever is next in the list, that's the prayer for that day. This year, I added "and wisdom." 
          Paul urged first of all. In other words, this is a very important prayer. I would say it's as important as praying for  your family members. People in government have the ability to make life harder or easier for us. If we are praying for them, honestly praying for them, we are also praying for ourselves because we benefit from their blessing. Here's the thing. 
           The other point that Paul makes that I believe should be noted is that there are three things that are links in a chain: praying for those in authority, peaceful and quiet lives, and godliness and holiness. Failing in one is likely to result in failing in the other two. As I begin to think about my theme for my life for the next six months, one word that comes to mind is strong. I believe I need to be stronger about each of these things - praying, living a peaceful and quiet life and being godly and holy.
      Another word that comes to mind is based on my amusement with Roman numerals. I'm going to be LV this year. Scripture says that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us. It weaves in with praying for those who are in authority and living peaceful and quiet lives, and with godliness and holiness.  
         Here's the challenge for you and me. If we aren't praying for them, we're hating them. It's a one-to-one correspondence. If we aren't praying for them, we have no right to complain about our lives being less than peaceful and quiet, and we cannot claim to be godly or holy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Higher Thoughts

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the  Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)           The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,   for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord      so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:15-16) If you read about the ancient gods of the various peoples, you’ll find that they think just like people. In fact, they think just like the sort of people we really wouldn’t want to be around. They think like the most corrupt Hollywood producer or, like hormone overloaded teens with no upbringing.   It’s embarrassing to read. I have a friend who argues that because God is not just like us, He is so vastly dif...
2 comments
Read more

Think About These Things

                 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) This passage is a major challenge for me. Like everyone else, I struggle to keep my thoughts from wandering off into the weeds, then wondering what possible benefits those weeds might have… Sigh. But as a writer, I have to delve at least a little into the ignoble, wrong, impure, unlovely, and debased. After all, there’s no story if everything’s just as it should be and everyone’s happy. As Christians, there are times when we need to deal with all the negatives, but that makes it even more important that we practice turning our minds by force of attention to what is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. It’s just too easy to get stuck in a swamp. With my...
1 comment
Read more

A Virgin?

           Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)           This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)           But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”            “How will this be,” Mary asked the...
Post a Comment
Read more