Welcome to the Foundations Daily Podcast. My name is Helen Ward, and I am on the staff team here at STC Sheffield. This week we are continuing our journey through the book of 1 Timothy, starting with Chapter 2 vs1-7.

REFLECTION

As I sit writing this podcast army personnel are on the streets of Salisbury, and Theresa May has given President Putin 24 hours to respond to allegations that his government poisoned a Russian ex-spy and his daughter whilst they sat enjoying a meal together. On the BBC news website the second headline is the potential meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un – the leaders of the United States and North Korea sitting down together for the first time ever. Read further down the page and the fallout from Brexit continues to dominate UK politics. And then at the other end of the spectrum, the BBC quiz of the week leads with the question, “What has Meghan Markle reportedly done this week?” The press obsession with her increases daily as she prepares for her marriage to Prince Harry and becoming a member of the Royal Family.

In this context, what does it mean for us as Christians, to respond to Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy Chapter 2 vs 1, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

This verse really stood out to me as I read this passage, and God challenged me about 3 things. In sharing these 3 personal reflections and challenges, I hope they encourage you in your own walk with God.

So, number 1: How often, if ever, do I pray for our queen and all those in authority in our country?

My honest answer to this is that I pray for them in times of national crisis, during general election campaigns, and when they vote for or bring in a law that I don’t agree with.

Maybe you pray for our leaders much more regularly than that…..or maybe this resonates with you. However, having read this verse, I know I need to change this.

To petition God on behalf of our leaders is to bring their needs before Him, and ask that he might meet them. Prayers for those in authority means we speak out our hopes and wishes for them.

And finally, intercession is to seek God’s will for those in authority, and to bring our own thoughts and actions into line with God’s. In verse 4, Paul reminds us that God “wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” If I find it hard to pray anything else for our rulers, then praying that they come to have a personal knowledge of God is a great place to start.

Number 2 – When I do pray for rulers and politicians, am I thankful for them? Are my prayers ones of thanksgiving?

When we pray a prayer of thanksgiving for a person, then we honour them before God, we elevate them above ourselves and the things that we do. Prayers of thanksgiving work to change our mindset, outlook or attitude towards a person, not vice versa.

Too often we find ourselves speaking negatively about our politicians and leaders, we criticise their morals, and we get angry at their policies and approaches.

But as Christians we are called to pray prayers of thanksgiving for all people, not just those we agree with. We are not called to fill our minds with negativity, criticism and anger – but instead to fill it with thanksgiving. I need to pray prayers of thanksgiving for politicians and leaders so that God changes my heart towards them, not so that they change their policies to benefit me.

And finally, God’s third challenge to me was about the reasons why we should pray for rulers and governments. The answer here is not just in verse one, but also in verse 3. We should pray for those in authority:

– So that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

– So our lives display the hallmarks of godliness and holiness