Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Pray for Those in Authority

• Entreaties, prayers, petitions, thanksgivings – whatever is good, thank God for it; whatever is not good, petition God for change
• Remember that civil authorities have been given a role today by God (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2)
• Remember our responsibility toward those in authority (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17) – also remember the limits of that responsibility (Acts 5:29)

In Praying for Them…

• We do not necessarily pray for a certain form of government – God ordained a role for government, not a form or structure
• We do not necessarily pray for the health & safety of leaders – there are times when a leader’s death means safety for God’s people (Matthew 2:13,16,19-20)
• We do not necessarily pray for their success – their ambitions may be contrary to their divinely given role
• Pray that they allow us to lead a tranquil & quiet life (1 Timothy 2:2) – this is good & acceptable to God (1 Timothy 2:3)

What is a Tranquil and Quiet Life?

• Freedom to work and provide for ourselves (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
• Freedom to assemble with our brethren and worship God (Hebrews 10:24-25; John 4:24)
• Freedom to teach the gospel to others (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15)
• Freedom from persecution – persecution seeks to destroy the church (Acts 8:1); the absence of persecution helps the church to grow (Acts 9:31)

Why is This Important?

• It is good & acceptable to God because He desires all to be saved & come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4) – implication: a government that does not meet its divinely given role is a threat to that
• It is not about our own comfort & prosperity – something far more important than that
• It is so the gospel can be taught openly so others can hear it, obey it, continue to follow the Lord, and lead others to Him

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