“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

While St. Paul’s encourages us to pray for everyone, he specifically emphasizes the need to pray for government leaders so that we may live in peace and freedom to worship God and follow his ways.  In his day, government consisted primarily of kings and autocratic rulers.  

We are blessed in the United States to have a system of government based on the consent of the governed.  As we celebrate the 250^th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, let us thank God for the people who have gone before us – for their vision and sacrifice for the government they created. 

The eloquence of their words matches the historical significance for all people: “WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed…” 

May we not allow the familiarity of these words to lessen their impact.  Let us embrace St. Paul’s encouragement, and the eloquence of these words to pray that our government may be led by God fearing representatives so that “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Do you pray for our government leaders?