Day 17

Praying for Real Change

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

If given a choice, would you rather send someone you know to Africa as a missionary or Washington, D.C., to serve in Congress? I suspect most would choose Africa. In our day, the rhetoric and rancor of politics and public life create a bitter taste. Can real change happen?

As a consolation, let me remind you that we do not face a novel challenge. As long as civil life involves human beings, there will be toxic levels of dysfunction bordering on sin.

In a broken world much like our own, the Apostle Paul wrote: "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." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

In a democracy, followers of Jesus must be part of the answer. Hiding away in cloistered communities of faith robs the church of its divine mandate to be light and salt. Yet, Paul reminds us where true power rests. We change the world on our knees as we pray and intercede for God to accomplish His purposes through the leaders of our land. Proverbs 21:1 states: "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." Vote and put your feet to your prayers by actively being part of the solution rather than the problem. In the end, remember prayer unleashes the justice and mercy of God in all its wonder and majesty.

Application: Pray by name for the leaders in our county, city, country, and world.

Written By: Dr. David Lowrie