“Respect the Authorities”: Scriptural Framework #2 ~ The Prayers of the Saints

Having introduced the topic of respect for God-constituted authorities, and considered a proper subjection, we move on to account for the prayers of the saints.

The Prayers of the Saints

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 Tim. 2:1-2)

Paul calls Timothy to fulfill his appointed role with fidelity. Part
of that requires Timothy to be truly and righteously publicly minded. We
may be separate from the world, but we do not cut ourselves off from
those around us, from the world in which we live. One of the ways in
which we show our engagement with the world is by prayer.

Here is a command that all kinds of prayers be offered for
all kinds of men, including and especially kings and all who are in
authority. Paul speaks of various approaches made to the Lord God:
seeking to obtain needful things, making requests, having close dealings
with God on behalf of ourselves and others, also giving thanks to God
for His goodness bestowed on others and on ourselves. Why does Timothy
need to pray in this way? The desired consequences are not to
obtain wealth, power, influence, or prominence in society or among its
rulers, but simply to be able to get on with the job of beingthe saints
of God without interference or oppression. God’s people wish simply to
conduct themselves in godliness and reverence, discharging the duties we
have toward God and men. The commentator Patrick Fairbairn says that
these are prayers that we “may be allowed freely to enjoy our
privileges, and maintain the pious and orderly course which becomes us
as Christians, without the molestation, the troubles, and the unseemly
shifts which are the natural consequence of inequitable government and
abused power.” [1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (Edinburgh: Banner
of Truth, 2002), 112.] Up to a point, we wish merely to be left alone to
get on with the life that God has called us to lead.

Here is a new covenant echo of the prayer that the exiles of
Jeremiah’s day had commended to them: “Seek the peace of the city where I
have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for
it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jer. 29:7). We do not wish to
suffer from rapid shifts of power, from abuses of authority, or from
threats to civil order. Pray, then, that the Lord would guide those in
authority so that you may have peace to pursue righteousness. Paul goes
on to say to Timothy that such a disposition to pray and such a
righteous expectation is pleasing to the Lord God.

Excerpted from the book Passing Through: Pilgrim Life in the Wilderness (Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com or Westminster Bookstore or RHB).