Pray for Those in High Positions

Scripture

 1 Timothy 2:1-8 

 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For

there is one God;
    there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human,
⁶     who gave himself a ransom for all

—this was attested at the right time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth,I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.  (NRSV) 

 

Devotion

Today is Inauguration Day in the United States of America...a day when one chapter in the nation closes and a new one begins.  On this day, some Americans breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate the change in administration.  Others grieve and worry what the future will bring as the people they support leave office.  And I like to believe that both sides deeply desire what is best for the nation and its people...even if they disagree what "what is best" entails.

Guided by scripture, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) embraces the notion of being politically active without being partisan.  This notion may seem like a contradiction in terms.  After all, how can a person be political without being partisan?  The answer can be found in both Scripture and the Book of Confessions that our denomination lifts up as part of our Constitution.

Scripture tells us that Christ came so that all people may be saved. As Christ's body on Earth until the day he comes again, the Church is called to work to make God's will a lived ready.  Paul explains to Timothy that this work involves living peaceable lives of godliness and dignity.  Elsewhere in scripture, we learn that living in such a way means speaking Truth in Love, seeking justice wherever it is lacking, offering mercy where it is needed, walking humbly with our God, and taking all things to God in prayer.   And though we should submit to the laws of the land as crafted and carried out by our political leaders, we are to always remember that our true allegiance is to God.  

Remaining obedient to God while still being governed by all-too-human leaders is not an easy task.  Christ-followers have been struggling to both follow God and submit to human authority ever since Jesus himself walked the Earth.  As time went on, the confessions adopted by different denominations have helped tackled how to live into this tension.  For Presbyterians, The Confession of 1967 states,

The members of the church are emissaries of peace and seek the good of man in cooperation with powers and authorities in politics, culture, and economics. But they have to fight against pretensions and injustices when these same powers endanger human welfare. Their strength is in their confidence that God’s purpose rather than man’s schemes will finally prevail.  (Book of Confessions, 9.25)

The confession goes on to say:

God’s reconciliation in Jesus Christ is the ground of the peace, justice, and freedom among nations which all powers of government are called to serve and defend. The church, in its own life, is called to practice the forgiveness of enemies and to commend to the nations as practical politics the search for cooperation and peace. This search re-quires that the nations pursue fresh and responsible relations across every line of conflict.  (Book of Confessions, 9.42)

In other words, Christians are called to help each nation's governing body do what is just, right, and merciful...even when such actions are not in the personal best interests of the people in office.  Our role is to cooperate with our leaders as much as possible yet still challenge them to craft policies and take actions that live into the Gospel message of peace, justice, freedom, and forgiveness.  When a nations' leaders stray from these principles, we are to tell them that what they are doing is wrong and hold them accountable for their actions.  When a nation's leaders live into those principles, we are to commend and do what we can to support them.  And  whether or not we agree with a leader's beliefs and plans...whether or not we voted for them...whether or not we even like them, we should always pray for God to help them make good, right, and successful decisions. For when our government officials do what is just, merciful, and kind, the nations of Earth look a little more like the realms of Heaven.

This Inauguration Day, the United States of America faces many challenges.  None of them are easy to solve.  Our elected officials and other leaders need God's help in addressing all of them.  Therefore, I challenge each of us to do our part by praying for our leaders... not only for President Biden and Vice President Harris, but also for our Congress-people, state legislatures, and municipal governments.  Let us pray for our judges and our military leaders...for the various secretaries, aids and staff-people hard at work to help govern us.  May God bless all of them with wisdom, discernment, and a commitment to doing the right thing--even when it is the hard or unpopular thing.  May they carry out their duties faithfully and well so that all people may thrive.

Let us also pray for all those have recently left positions of authority.  May they listen to God's still-speaking voice in their lives.  May they find a sense of accomplishment for what they did well and come to repent of whatever they did that was not in line with God's will.  May they find ways to make positive contributions to society outside of the offices they once held.

 Finally, let us pray for our nation.  May we lay our anger aside, admit where we have made mistakes, and begin to forgive each other for the hurt we have caused.  May we come together in a spirit of unity and ask God to heal us...even as we each do our part to aid in that healing process.  May we cooperate with our leaders and help them follow God's will by uplifting them when it is right to do so and challenging them when necessary.   

Together, we can create a world in which everyone lives quiet, peaceable dignified lives that are acceptable in God's sight.  We can do this work, because Christ has shown us the way.  With Christ to guide us, we can help bring about healing and unity in both our nation and our world.

Prayer 

Our prayer today comes from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Book of Common Worship:

O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our nation, state, and community to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and may be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it. Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers of truth and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.