Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:1&2)
While the 1st Century Church was living under the iron fist of Roman occupation, they were being encouraged to pray for kings and all who were in positions of authority. Rather than take up arms to secure their freedom from tyranny, they were urged to offer prayers for all local and world leaders so that they could enjoy peace and quiet. Their prayers weren't to be for regimen change, to rid themselves of evil rullers, but that there would be a way for them to live a peaceful life.
They were asked to not only pray for their rulers, they were to give thanks for them as well. It seems upside down and backwards, but that is exactly how the Kingdom of God functions. More than once Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom of God is not of this world, and most importantly, how very differently it operates.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45)
"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God." ~Jesus
Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud)
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