9/12/13:

TFTD: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2

Last night after watching Duck Dynasty we were surfing through channels and came across a show about the presidents gatekeepers. It was about those people who were in the white house or other positions who were in charge of keeping the president on track and weighing all situations and decisions that had to be made. It got me thinking this morning. There are people in place to make sure that the President doesn’t do something irrational without at least talking through it with someone else. On top of that there is a nations worth of people who can, if the president still makes an irrational and detrimental decision, do something about it.  Paul in his first letter to Timothy makes it clear that we as the nation have a responsibility. We are to pray for those who are in positions of leadership because they have great responsibility and can either do great things or not so great things.

            When we think about ourselves in this situation it is difficult to want to pray for, or even be nice when talking about those in leadership positions. They make choices that we don’t want them to or we don’t really like them in the first place. But what are we called to as followers of Christ? First of all we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. That is difficult because we love ourselves a lot. More importantly, however, we are called to be servants. Jesus got down on his hands and knees and washed the disciple’s feet, which couldn’t have been very nice, implying that the disciples were more important than Himself. We are to do the same thing. We are to take on the attitude of servant and place all others above ourselves, implying that everyone, even those who you don’t like or can’t stand, are more important than you and could use a prayer. So in your spare time today say a prayer especially in the leadership of our country and our world, but also for those around you who you are serving on a daily basis.

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” –George Washington