Unless the Lord guards the city the guard keeps watch in vain. Psalm 127:1 

I urge that prayers be made for all people, and for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. I Timothy 2:1-2 

There are many verses and passages in the Bible that exhort us to pray. We are to pray without ceasing – I Thessalonians 5:17. In Romans Paul writes ”Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and persistent in prayer”  (12:12). Jesus, of course, tells us to pray even for our enemies. In Matthew 5: 44 Jesus says: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Much of 1 Timothy consists of Paul giving his young colleague Timothy instructions on how the church should function. Practices that should be followed are laid out, especially around prayer. It must have been difficult to always follow this instruction – pray for all people. Not just those you know, who are your family and friend, but all people. People we like, people we don’t really know, we can do that. But people we actively dislike? That is difficult for humans to do. Luckily we have help. We have the Holy Spirit, who can even give us the words to say, or help us when we can’t even come up with words.

This then is what we are to do – pray without ceasing, pray for everyone, from those we know all the way up to those in high positions We sometimes forget that those who lead us -- in churches, our local communities, at national and international levels need our prayers We can pray for peace for ourselves and our communities, as well as for all to live “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” With all the worries about things going on in our world today, it is good to remember God’s promises.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Lord, your ways are just and true. Thank you for keeping watch over all peoples and nations. Forgive our arrogance of thinking that we can make our way through life without your guidance. Help those who lead us at all levels to lead and guide diverse groups of people with diverse interests.  Empower us to advocate for justice and peace for your people. Amen

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party