1 Timothy 2:1-2 - 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.
Each and every day we wake up to a world that is chaotic and loud. It is a world where people often choose evil over good and revel in what is shameful. How are we to live our lives in a world like this without being swept up in all of that ourselves? The answer is a simple one, and yet it is something that is far too easily neglected. It is simply this, go to God in prayer.
In the hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, we find the following words, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!” These words couldn’t be more true, and there is no doubt that many have felt the lack of peace that they could have in their life, if only they would take all their sorrows and worries to the Lord.
Perhaps it is our naive idea that we are in control, or maybe it is a matter of unbelief in God and his ability to do wonderful works in our world. Whatever the reason, living each day without prayer would be like trying to climb Mt. Everest in nothing but a swimsuit and flip flops. No one would even think of doing such a thing. Without the proper gear you wouldn’t be able to battle the harsh conditions of the mountain, and there is no way you would make it to the summit. And yet, when we wake up in the morning, we often forget or neglect to put on the gear God has given us to not only get through the day, but to be able to reach the summit in the end.
What are the different kinds of gear that we take with us each day in our prayers? We take supplications which are prayers where we humbly ask God for help. We take intercessions which are prayers to God on the behalf of others. We take thankfulness, remembering what God has done and praising him for it. With all of these kinds of prayers at our disposal, it is no wonder that Paul urges Christians to do this.
We have the ability, through Christ, to go to God in prayer. You can talk with him today. Think about that. At this very moment, you can take all the chaos, loudness, ungodliness, and shame in your own life to God, and you can trust that he is with you, listening, and engaging with you in those prayers. Paul reminds us that it doesn’t stop with us though. If we truly want a peaceful, quiet, godly and dignified life, we simply must be praying for all people, including the people whom God has placed in authority, whether they be governing in godly or ungodly ways.
Our peace in this world, as far as Paul is concerned, is directly tied to our prayer life. If you are lacking peace today, perhaps it is because you also lack prayer. Go to God and enjoy the sweet fellowship of his presence where you will no doubt find peace, stability and rest for your weary soul, as well as guidance and wisdom for the days ahead.
