“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4

Today, let’s try an exercise. First, re-read the top two verses. Now, skim through all the political posts by your Christian friends on Facebook. Does it resemble anything like the above passage? Chances are, probably not, which leads me to believe that we need a major reset in the church when it comes to politics. Before I get into this, let me say that I do believe politics are important, however not the most important. But, since they are important and influential, Paul tells Timothy to encourage all the people to pray for all the people! Isn’t that what he said? “For all men”? He didn’t ask that we pray for the people we like and agree with. To pray for the conservative leaders only. Or pray for the liberal leaders only. No! He said to pray for all people. Then he specifically points out to pray for those that are in political authority. We are called to make supplications on behalf of our political leaders and not snooty remarks. We need to positively pray to God and not negatively post to people. We need to intercede for them and not insult them. Why do this? So that we can lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (verse 2)! In other words, so we don’t blow our witness! So we don’t show the world that conservatism means more to us than the cross of Christ. So we don’t show others that liberalism means more to us than the real liberty one finds in a genuine relationship with Jesus.

How does he conclude in verse 3? By telling us that this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved! Not only is this the best motive we could ask for (pleasing God) but it also shows us that the heart of God is for all people! Not just for one political group, let alone social class, race or gender!

The facts that we can take away from this passage are that we are exhorted to pray for those in office and that God yearns for us all (liberal or conservative, prince or pauper, black or white or any race) to be saved!