Letters of Paul: 30-Day Reading PlanSample

Who’s Running the Show?

God is sovereign. That’s why Paul encouraged Timothy and other believers to pray for their government leaders — the same officials who were often persecuting Christians!

Paul knew God could and would respond to His people’s prayers. God rules over earthly rulers whether they realize it or not. No appointed or elected official can thwart God’s purpose.

In praying for their leaders, the church is doing more than being kind. They are acknowledging God as the ultimate source of authority. God, who rules over all, can work through anyone or anything to bring about situations where His kingdom will advance, and people will come to know Jesus.

The same is true for us today. Every ruler receives authority from God, the ones we like and the ones we disagree with. We pray for our leaders trusting that God can work through them to create conditions where people have the best opportunity to hear the Gospel and start a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is the one mediator between God and humanity. He paid the price of our sin so we might live lives pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Knowing we have peace with God through Jesus further encourages us to lift our hands in prayer for our leaders and our world (1 Timothy 2:8). When we pray and worship, we affirm that everything and everyone on Earth is under God’s authority, including us (Psalm 24:1).

This is a different way of seeing the world and that’s what God wants. Our clean hands and pure hearts separate us from those who don’t yet know Him (Psalm 24:3-4). We are free to enter God’s presence because Jesus took away the sin that separated us from God. Now we can enter God’s presence with confidence.

The world needs to see more believers living holy lives, so people can see the blessing that comes from following Jesus, and what better way than to be a people who will pray for elected officials in both parties? When we do, we acknowledge God is truly “running the show.”

Reflect:

• Who are the elected officials you need to pray for?
• What does your prayer life say about how much you recognize God’s sovereignty in the world?
• What’s one area of your life where you can intentionally pursue holiness this week?