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. (NIV)

There's trouble in Ephesus. Under Roman rule, Ephesus was a major commercial center in western Asia Minor (now Turkey).It's position as a cultural crossroads made Ephesus a centerpiece in Paul's plan to establish and spread the early Christian church. On his third missionary journey, Paul spent three years in Ephesus teaching the gospel and growing his ministry. His efforts there are outlined in Acts 19 and followed up by his letter to the Ephesians. Though there were great challenges, the church flourished under Paul's leadership and many were brought into the faith.However, it wasn't long after Paul's departure that the church lost focus and started to flounder.

Without Paul's direct leadership, two groups of diametrically opposed peoples established themselves within the church. One group held on to Paul's teachings and wanted to keep the church focused on the gospel. The other started teaching false doctrines and devoted themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These apocryphal teachings promoted “controversies rather than God's work” (1 Tim. 1:4). Things were getting so bad that about eight years after Paul's departure from Ephesus, Paul sent his beloved apprentice, Timothy, to Ephesus to set things right again.Today's verse is the first of several instructions Paul sent to Timothy to end the strife between two rival groups of people, each fervently believing their cause was right.

Does this situation sound a little too familiar? Like me, did you make the connection between the situation in Ephesus and the political divisions in our own country? Just like Paul, here we are almost 2,000 years later facing the same issue. Since those who forget history are doomed to repeat it, what can we learn from Paul?

Paul's desire was to reunify the church. He knew that the only way to achieve this was to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Only through obeying Christ can the church thrive. All other ways lead to destruction.

So, isn't it interesting that the first instruction given to Timothy was today's verse? We are to pray. Further, we are to pray for ALL those in authority. Keep in mind the dissension in the ranks at the time. Not only between the two opposed groups within the church, but remember that Nero was Emperor of Rome at the time. Nero was no picnic. WhatPaul is commanding must have been extremely hard to do. Just like it may be difficult for us to do during this emotionally charged season.

But Paul recognized to whom he was praying; Jesus Christ our Lord, Emmanuel, the Son of God, Lamb of God, Son ofMan, our Savior, Redeemer, Teacher, Master, the Prince of Peace, and King ofKings. Jesus Christ is King over all, to whom every knee will bow, and as such, has infinite authority over anything man can author. Paul's vision was that “men everywhere would lift up their holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing” (1 Tim. 2:8). He wanted us to be peacemakers. He knew that if you want to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim.2:2), then pray for our leaders to fully embrace the teachings and wisdom ofJesus Christ. Yes, even Nero.

I have a saying, “Prayers are HUGE.”Okay, I didn't say it was a very clever saying, but it is true. Do you want to change your life? Pray. Do you want to change our country? Pray. Do you want to change the world? Pray. Pray for everything, everybody, everywhere, and evermore. And God, who transformed a shepherd boy into a king (1 Sam. 16), a fearful man into a military general (Judges 6-7), and a stuttering outcast into history's greatest earthly leader (Ex. 3-4), will hear your prayer.

My Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. I thank you, Lord, for the earthly leadership you have placed over me. May their desires be your desires. May their tasks be your tasks. May their decrees be your decrees. May your guidance and counsel ring forth in our land for all to hear and heed. Help me remember how much you've forgiven and love me. Let me joyfully pay that forward to my leaders Lord. Please bless me as a peacemaker in your Kingdom. MyLord reigns, let the earth rejoice! Amen.

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P.S. I thought you may enjoy praying your own prayers for your leaders with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Here are some Scriptures that specifically address godly:

Ps. 72:1

Pro. 11:14, 16:12, 29:2, 29:14

James 3:1

Matt. 20:26-28

Phil. 2:3-4

Titus 1:7-9