Issue 11 - Day 6

1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:1-4
1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

When was the last time you prayed for the queen, or the prime minister? There was a study done a few years ago on the effects of prayer. They analysed the average lifespan of royalty, compared to other members of the aristocracy. The results were that royalty on average lived shorter lives, when surely, with all the people praying for them they would live longer! I can conclude differently. This means that people are not praying for the royal family, when the bible says we should.

The second observation is that we are not instructed to pray that the queen, or those in authority would be healthy, long-lived and so on, though that would be good. Instead we are to pray for them so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives. Last year we saw the riots across London. In line with this passage we need to pray that the authorities will be able to deal with the social problems that triggered the riots, and for the police, and emergency services as they seek to stop the violence, and mass destruction of property. How many other places around the world do not have peace?

Our local community officer is Maria DeStefano. Pray for her, and her colleagues, for wisdom, for her protection, and that she can do her part in enabling us to lead quiet and peaceful lives.