“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.“
— 1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
It’s easy to grumble about people in power. Harder to pray for them. Yet here Paul is, telling Timothy: “Start with prayer. For everyone. Even rulers.” Not because leaders are perfect. Not because we agree with them. But because peace often hangs by a thread, and prayer steadies the thread.
This isn’t about endorsing anyone’s politics. It’s about asking God to move in places we can’t reach. Paul was writing in a time when emperors threw Christians to lions, and still—pray for them. That kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It’s forged in the fire of grace.
When we pray like this, we stop treating people as the enemy and start seeing them as souls. Even the powerful need mercy. Even the flawed can be shaped by the hand of God. And meanwhile, we get to live lives that are quiet—not because we’ve given up—but because peace makes room for holiness to grow.
Personal Prayer
Lord, sometimes I forget how powerful prayer really is. I’d rather complain than intercede. Forgive me.
Teach me to pray for all people—with no exceptions, no conditions. Especially those in authority. Even the ones I struggle to respect.
Give them wisdom they didn’t ask for and compassion they don’t know they need. Let Your justice and mercy run through their decisions.
And give us, Lord, a life that’s steady and rooted in You—peaceful, yes, but not passive. Quiet, but not silent. Make us holy in the middle of a noisy world. Amen.