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 Timothy 2:1-4
I think it was D.A. Carson whom I heard observe that the kings in Genesis 14 are best thought of as small town mayors. Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar were cities, not nation-states, and their populations quite small when compared to the American cities with which we are familiar today. These were “cities” of well under a thousand persons in which everyone pretty much knew everyone else: the “king” was someone who had a real job and who you likely ran into around town. In other words, don’t think of the pomp of a Westminster Abbey coronation every time you read the word “king” in the Bible. As often as not, it’s merely a synonym for “leader of a government.”
Kings figure prominently in Scripture, especially in the Psalms and prophets. Kings are heads over nations and peoples, and often represent those who oppose our Lord, the one true King over heaven and earth. Hence our surprise when we find the apostles exhorting us to submit ourselves to these ungodly authorities (Romans 13) and even to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Christians are to have a particular and benevolent interest in kings, no matter who they are, and perhaps especially when they are the wrong sort of king.
I learned this lesson in prayer the hard way on July 4, 2010, when I was preaching near Toronto in a Canadian Reformed Church. In blithe indifference to my nation’s Independence Day, my good friend Doug Vandeburgt led his congregation in prayer for Canada’s queen! While I was gravely shaken, the episode caused me to reflect upon how I had been leading and praying in public worship. I began being much more faithful to Paul’s admonitions in 1 Timothy 2 by praying for all who are in high positions.
Most congregations, I think, are reasonably faithful in this regard: I hear prayers for our nation’s leaders in nearly every Church I visit, even when the president in office would appear not to be the first choice of the average congregant in the room. But then I remember Genesis 14.
The problem with Americans is that they dream too big: they would rather fail to change the world than succeed in helping one neighbor. The problem with American Christians may be that they pray too big, failing to uphold their mayor, their township’s board of trustees, or the judge of the nearest municipal court before the throne of grace. If we are to love our neighbor, we certainly ought to pray for these kings and princes close to home.
You may have had the experience of praying by name for a missionary during worship services and only later meeting that person for the first time. You feel an immediate warmth toward and interest in that missionary; you want to know how the Lord has been answering her prayer requests; you feel drawn toward him in what can only be called a form of Christian love. Now imagine having the same experience when you go to traffic court and meet the judge.
Does that sound odd? Does it seem a little silly?
Consider: one of the most deeply peculiar aspects of the Christian faith, as even our Savior acknowledges, is the command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-47). To pray for someone, of course, is to love that person. Only by loving our enemies can we begin to imitate the perfection of our heavenly Father who loves us (Matthew 5:48). Let’s be honest: we live in a culture in which many, including ourselves, are quick to cast aspersions on politicians and bureaucrats. If we think so poorly of them, then by Christian logic we should be praying for them so much the more zealously. If we love them before the throne of grace, perhaps our hearts will be disciplined to love them in person as well.
In point of fact, municipal officials, whether high or low, are infrequently our enemies or persecutors. They may very literally be our neighbors, and most of the time they are far more likely to be able to do good for our congregations and families than the President or a Supreme Court Justice of these United States. So let me make a practical suggestion: during your congregation’s evening service, pray by name for your municipality’s mayor or trustees or alderpersons. This will be good, and will certainly please God our Savior.
And who knows? As Christians, we may yet be free to lead peaceful and quiet lives. Our Churches may yet be godly and dignified in every way. And perhaps our kings and princes and municipal court judges may yet be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
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