Day 306

Of the Civil Magistrate.

Chapter 24, Paragraph 3.

“…and we ought to make supplications and prayers for Kings, and all that are in Authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.”

Scripture Lookup

1 Timothy 2:1,2

Reflection

When my husband and I were dating, he would bring me to family gatherings at his grandparents’ house in the summer. With lawn chairs set up in a circle in the driveway and food set up on tables in the garage, various siblings, aunts and uncles would sit and discuss whatever was in the news. Inevitably politics would come up, and people who had never held a government position suddenly became experts on foreign policy, domestic issues, and freely gave opinions of various politicians’ job performance. The certainty with which these opinions were expressed was astounding!

The “expertise” that arises when politics are discussed is not limited to those summer gatherings in that driveway. It seems that everyone knows exactly how to fix whatever the issue du jour is, and is certain that Mr. or Ms. Politician does not. Yet as Christians, we are to pray for those in authority over us. Rather than being quick to share our critiques of the government, we should first be beseeching our Lord that those He has placed in authority over us will rule justly and wisely.

This does not mean that we are never to criticize the choices and policies our leaders make. Yet it should give us pause the next time we are about to share a meme demeaning a politician, or stating derogatory remarks about someone in government. Would we be so quick to state such things to them personally? As Christians, we are to share the Gospel with the lost. Many of our leaders are lost. Who will pray for them?

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. -1 Timothy 2: 8

Questions to Consider

• What is your attitude towards your government officials? Are you praying for them first and foremost, or complaining?