2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Paul instructs Timothy that he needs to pray for all the government officials that exercise authority over his life. We are to pray for them so that our lives will be tranquil and quiet. When we are in the place Jesus wants us to be, we can live with an inner tranquility and quietness that defies logic. The world can be spinning out of control around us, but we can have peace. But Paul wants us to pray for our political leaders because they can make policies that make our outer world more difficult. Their policies can make our world spin out of control. They can design government that makes practicing our faith nearly impossible. They can regulate and restrict in ways that force Believers to practice secretly. That is why Paul says we need to pray for our political leaders. But the Lord wants more than simply peaceful and quiet lives. He wants us to live our lives in godliness and holiness. He wants us to practice our faith in a way that reflects His character. He wants people who take their faith seriously, living it in a way that says they mean it. He doesn’t want casual Believers. He wants dedicated followers. He wants people whose lives make Him a priority. Spouses want a partner who takes their marriage vows seriously. We want a partner whose life reflects the commitment made during the wedding ceremony lived every day. We don’t want an “on again, off again” relationship. We want consistency and fidelity. That is the kind of relationship the Lord wants us to have with Him.
The Arnold Journey 