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In 1 Timothy 2:1–2, Paul wants believers to pray all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people. This practice is good and pleasing to God (1 Tim. 2:3). But what are the kinds of things we should pray for?
Paul says to pray for “kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2).
When Paul wrote those words to Timothy, the emperor in power was Nero (from AD 54–68), and Nero was an emperor who opposed Christians. Paul was eventually martyred sometime in the mid-60s, during Nero’s reign. Apparently Paul’s prayers for rulers weren’t contingent on their goodness or wisdom. In fact, Nero’s hostility and spiritual rebellion were reasons why Christians should pray!
Paul’s hope for the saints is that they could “lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Tim. 2:2). He’s talking here about a political and social climate that allows Christianity to thrive and not be suppressed. A “peaceful and quiet life” is the opposite of hostile or persecutorial conditions.
The biblical authors never tell us to pray for persecution. In fact, when Paul does tell believers what to pray for, he says to pray for those in high positions that we might live peaceful and quiet lives. That doesn’t necessarily mean the leaders will be Christians, though praying for leaders to be saved is an important part of the prayers we offer on their behalf.
People in positions of authority can make things harder for Christians to live as Christians and to spread the gospel. Paul calls believers to pray that leaders would govern in such a way that Christians could live peaceably. This kind of life means a convictional, faithful, public life, a life without the worldly powers seeking to suppress and thwart Christian devotion.
When disciples in the early church first began living out their faith in the Roman Empire, we can safely assume that the earthly authorities were non-Christians. That means these authorities would not necessarily be favorable toward Christians and Christian doctrine. Even though Paul never encouraged believers to seek persecution or suffering, he also knew that we should not be surprised when it comes. “If the world hates you,” Jesus said, “know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18; see also 1 Pet. 4:12–13).
The way of the cross is a path that does not avoid revilement or opposition from the seed of the serpent. Paul told Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share his suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).
According to what Paul told Timothy, the willingness to share in the sufferings of Christ must be seen as a complementary notion to praying for the freedom to lead a peaceful and quiet life. We should pray for the salvation of those in positions of authority, and we should pray that they will lead wisely in ways conducive to the freedom of Christ’s church to live out their convictions with peace.
The concept of religious liberty is grounded in a biblical worldview. We should pray that governing authorities, both local and federal, would not seek to thwart or suppress our faithful and public Christian witness. Opposing the witness of Christ’s church is foolish because opposing Christ’s church is opposing Christ himself (Acts 9:1–5). And that won’t end well. The rejection of Christ leads to the embrace, inevitably, of chaos—even if this chaos is dressed in the deceptive garments of tolerance.
Because the faithful witness of Christ’s church is light for the world and salt for the earth, the wider society and culture will benefit from the freedom of Christian witness and public practice. Unbelievers need the gospel. And image-bearers need leaders who are committed to the administration of justice, justice that is ultimately rooted in the reality of a righteous God who has made the world and endowed his human creatures with a conscience and moral law.
In light of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:1–2, we should pray all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people. And regarding kings and all who are in high positions, we should pray for their salvation and for their wise governance. Specifically, we should pray that those with political and social influence would establish and protect the liberty of Christians to faithfully proclaim and practice the tenets of the faith.
It is a desirable thing—and therefore should be a matter of fervent prayer—for a disciple to lead a peaceful and quiet life of conviction and devotion for the glory of Christ.