Prayer Warrior

In Paul's first letter to Timothy he tells Timothy that he was supposed to "stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings" (1 Tim 1:3). He charges him, then, to "fight the good fight" (1 Tim 1:18). Chapter 2 begins with, "First of all, then ..." and gives some instructions about methods in which to fight this good fight. First: "I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim 2:1-2). Interesting, isn't it? He doesn't tell him to start a campaign or begin knocking heads or to do a whole lot at all. Instead, Paul urges Timothy to pray and to urge others to pray ... "first of all."

In the prayers, Paul calls for "requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks." "Requests" refers to petitions made for specific needs. "Prayers" refers to requests made specifically to God, especially for God's glory. "Intercessions" are prayers on behalf of other people and situations. We get all those, even if we never specifically categorized them. It's interesting, though, that he includes "thanks." He wrote to the Thessalonians, "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess 5:18). In everything. So, yes, give thanks. Give thanks a lot. If nothing else, because it's God's will for you in Christ.

I found it interesting that Paul didn't urge Timothy to get involved in social justice or politics or something. Make better laws. Get better government. Urge people to be nicer, kinder, gentler. Instead, Paul urged Timothy to have people pray "for kings and all who are in authority." Funny thing, isn't it? We don't seem to think that way these days. We're in political parties fighting political battles against liberal politicians ... instead of praying for them. Praying for them. We seem to have forgotten Who is in charge and think it's our job to fix this broken world. Prayer and not politics for governments and authorities will be better for allowing us a peaceful and quiet life in godliness and dignity than a good Christian political movement. Didn't see that coming.

We are also urged to stop false teachers and fight the good fight. We are also urged to fight that fight not with politics and campaigns, but with prayer. We are commanded to pray for those in authority. Because "Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior" (1 Tim 2:3). Which should be our primary concern as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.