1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NRSV)
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, Verse 2for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. Verse 3This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Verse 4who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Verse 5For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, Verse 6who gave himself a ransom for all-this was attested at the right time. Verse 7For 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.
Devotion
In Fiddler on the Roof, the village rabbi is asked if a blessing exists for the tyrannical Czar. "Yes,” he responds, “May God bless and keep the Czar ... far, far away."
Paul also tells Timothy, "Yes, there is a blessing for today's world leaders." Thanksgivings are to be made for all, even religious zealots and tyrants, "so that we may lead a quiet, peaceable life in all godliness and dignity."
Policies to “depose,” rather than pray for our opponents, mark our current political atmosphere. Little is peaceable, godly or dignified because we have forgotten to "bless those who persecute us."
But what kind of fool believes the world will change through prayer, love, mercy, justice and righteous living? Fools like Paul, for one: "There is great gain in godliness with contentment," he wrote to Timothy. "As for you, man of God ... aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Prayer
God, whose presence gives life to all things, whose desire is that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, remove our spirit of timidity and help us fight the good fight that again takes hold of the life to which we have been called. Amen.