1 Timothy 2:1-4

[BonnieBee]

Just curious as to what people's thoughts are on this verse

[bible]1 Timothy 2:1-4[/bible]

 

[JonMiller]

I thought that praying that our leaders will lead us well was pretty standard? I know there was a time period when some adventists didn't do so, but I thought now it was common.

Of course, if you have an evil leader, like Hitler, you don't really pray for their success.

JM

 

[BonnieBee]

Yeah, that's true... But with what is going to happen in the end times, we know the world's going to be corrupt, so do we pray till the end, or...?

 

[JonMiller]

Doesn't it say something about it being even worse if God doesn't act to abate it? So shouldn't we pray for our leaders... that they make the right decisions?

There are few things I pray straight for, because I question my judgement. I generally pray that what is best be done.

JM

 

[capnator]

This says to me that prayer is high on the list of things to do if you are a christian.

Paul exhorts that we pray for all men!! BECAUSE God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Pray without ceasing.

Prayer is the breath of the soul, the word is our food. Any christian not breathing and eating is dead!

 

[annie1speed]

I agree with Capnator. Pray without ceasing.

Annie

 

[smooze]

Well my take on this is to look for men that make their fortunes honestly and learn from their walk how the Holy spirit bless's them. I say act like your a rich man in Christ and you'll never be without ANYTHING when its whats "INSIDE" that counts. The temple of the HOLY spirit is in all of us. Our bodies are a temple but without total faith and no fear we are hindered some ways. To pray for these men is 1 thing but never cast your eyes from the truth no matter how big the miracles. AMEN Please can someone find the remote for my brain.

 

[Dathen]

I agree with Capnator. Pray without ceasing.

Annie

Yet Jesus says we can't get like the pagans!!

 

[Ptilinopus]

Reading through the 1 Timothy 2:1-4 passage, Bonnie, I am struck by a few things. Firstly, Paul wrote this during the reign of Nero - as evil an emperor as ever ruled Rome - I'd say on a par with Hitler.

What was the reason he said to pray for kings and rulers? In order that we (Christians) may lead a peaceable quiet life in godliness and honesty. Christians in Paul's day (and many times since) have not been able to do this thanks to evil rulers. So it is a valid thing to pray for!

The second reason to pray for them is that God desires to save even them - see vs.4. We have examples in Scripture - God's quest for Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel (where in Ch.4 Neb himself declares his acceptance of God), and Paul's discourse in front of King Herod Agrippa in Acts.

So praying for rulers isn't endorsing their behaviour - rather it is interceding with God for their salvation, and for God to lead them to policies which allow Christians to live peaceably, and which would permit them to spread the gospel.

 

[BonnieBee]

Reading through the 1 Timothy 2:1-4 passage, Bonnie, I am struck by a few things. Firstly, Paul wrote this during the reign of Nero - as evil an emperor as ever ruled Rome - I'd say on a par with Hitler.

What was the reason he said to pray for kings and rulers? In order that we (Christians) may lead a peaceable quiet life in godliness and honesty. Christians in Paul's day (and many times since) have not been able to do this thanks to evil rulers. So it is a valid thing to pray for!

The second reason to pray for them is that God desires to save even them - see vs.4. We have examples in Scripture - God's quest for Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel (where in Ch.4 Neb himself declares his acceptance of God), and Paul's discourse in front of King Herod Agrippa in Acts.

So praying for rulers isn't endorsing their behaviour - rather it is interceding with God for their salvation, and for God to lead them to policies which allow Christians to live peaceably, and which would permit them to spread the gospel.

I wasn't saying praying for rulers was endorsing their behaviour... I was thinking more along the lines of what you said: 'interceding with God for their salvation, and for God to lead them to policies which allow Christians to live peaceably, and which would permit them to spread the gospel'.
So is it still a relevant verse for today?

Thanks for your replies, everyone

 

[Ptilinopus]

Sure is! The rulers (and all humanity) all need salvation. And the freedom of belief, and to spread the gospel that we enjoy at present could be rapidly lost - as it has been in other countries - were it not for God's restraining hand. Pray on!

 

[Cliff2]

I wasn't saying praying for rulers was endorsing their behaviour... I was thinking more along the lines of what you said: 'interceding with God for their salvation, and for God to lead them to policies which allow Christians to live peaceably, and which would permit them to spread the gospel'.
So is it still a relevant verse for today?

Thanks for your replies, everyone

I believe it is still necessary for us to pray for our leaders. Even if they are not Christians, probably even more so if they are not Christians.

 

[BonnieBee]

Sure is! The rulers (and all humanity) all need salvation. And the freedom of belief, and to spread the gospel that we enjoy at present could be rapidly lost - as it has been in other countries - were it not for God's restraining hand. Pray on!

I believe it is still necessary for us to pray for our leaders. Even if they are not Christians, probably even more so if they are not Christians.

Thanks! Yes, I think I have my answer on those verses now