Why We Pray

Yes, I know. "Hey, didn't you just write this one?" The title, yes. The content, sort of. The message, no. In 1 Timothy Paul tells Timothy to "fight the good fight" (1 Tim 1:18). How? Step One: Pray (1 Tim 2:1-2). Paul said to pray "on behalf of all men," but, specifically, "for kings and all who are in authority." Why are we to pray that way? "So that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim 2:2). We live in troubling times that demand we do this now. But we need to keep the ultimate aim in view.

"Ultimate aim?" you ask. Yes. Paul goes on to say,

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:3-4)

Now, let's keep this straight. We are to pray "on behalf of all men" and especially for "all who are in authority" so we may "lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." Why? Why is that important? What's the aim? Here's why we should pray and why we should pray to obtain tranquil and quiet lives. So that all men may be saved. The Gospel. Evangelism. Salvation for many.

Perhaps when that sinks in you begin to see the message and magnitude. We aren't praying for our own self-interests. We aren't praying so that those in authority will make good decisions. We aren't praying to make our world a better place. We pray so that souls may be saved. That is the ultimate aim. Because, you see, good laws and good decisions don't make good people. Good voting and good elections don't make a good nation. The only thing that makes a nation great or people good is changed hearts and changed lives. That is accomplished by coming to the knowledge of the truth. That is accomplished by being saved. And all of that is predicated on "one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all" (1 Tim 2:5-6).

We are commanded to pray for all people. We are commanded especially to pray for those in charge. (Note it doesn't say, "If they lean Left, because those who lean Right are okay.") We are commanded to pray this way so we can lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity so that people will be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. People are much more influenced by our godliness and dignity than our moral outrage and political activism. This kind of praying -- fighting the good fight -- has a much bigger purpose than "comfortable living." It is, however, the only viable solution to troubled times.