6/1/10 1 Timothy 1-3
Pray for Who?
(1 Ti 2:1) 1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
When we come to prayer we often think of praying for those whom we love the most. It tends to be difficult for us to pray for those that we do not know personally. Here is 1 Timothy 2:2 Paul urges Timothy to pray on the behalf of all men. Who are some of these men that Paul has in mind? Paul has in mind kings and those who are in authority and have the ability to lead groups of people into tranquil quiet living. How many of us can say that we faithfully pray for our leaders? For the most part we live peaceful lives, but we take for granted there are many men and women who have been entrusted with making decisions for groups of people.
See it is easy for us to criticize and complain about our representatives and officials, but how often do we bring them and their decision making before the throne of grace. If you have ever led a group a people you understand that you must make decisions and that any decision at any time has the opportunity to take a peaceful situation and turn it into a riotous one.
As a result of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil rig catastrophe everyone is quick to point the finger and blame others, but let’s ask who is willing to be held accountable for this situation? Who would volunteer at this point to be the ‘go to guy’ for solving this dilemma? Count how many times you have heard or complained about this situation? But have we prayed for those involved? Have we prayed for our leaders, have we asked God to give our leaders a solution?
I guess for the most part we do not see this affecting us in a personal way so we are rather cynical and distant regarding the entire episode. But this may affect us more personally that we currently realize. About a month before this tragic event, there was mention from the White House of plans to begin offshore drilling. I have not heard anything since. I doubt we will. So before this crisis there was apparently some sort of decision that was made concerning our oil production or oil dependence. Now that decision appears to become null and void. But was that decision for more offshore drilling a good decision? And one that would protect the United States from increased dependency on foreign oil supplies? We may never know, but if in the not too distant future we find ourselves riding bikes instead of driving cars we might be able to point to this crisis as a piece of the puzzle.
So have you prayed on behalf of all men, especially leaders and authorities?
UPDATE: June 5 2010
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/04/gulf-lawmakers-plead-obama-ease-drilling-ban-warn-economic-blow/
"Obama was looking to expand offshore drilling before the BP disaster. The explosion led him to rethink that element of his energy plan, as he delayed or canceled lease sales in the Gulf, off the coast of Virginia and off the coast of Alaska."
http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/03/news/economy/drilling_ban_job_impact/index.htm
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The White House responded Thursday to concerns that the ban on drilling for oil in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico will cost the region thousands of jobs.
"The six month moratorium on deepwater drilling was instituted for a clear reason," White House spokesman Ben LaBolt told CNN. "The President believes we must ensure that the BP Deepwater Horizon spill is never repeated."
Prayer: Father I pray for our leaders and officials that are involved in solving this oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Give them wisdom as how to handle this current situations and the fallout of legal issues that will result. I ask that You would turn leaders hearts that are self-sufficient to humble dependence upon You. Father, You have in mind how this oil leak can be stopped. I ask that you will give wisdom to those who are able to receive it so that your name may be glorified even in this. I pray that this will not cause our nation to lose its tranquility and quiet life enjoyed by many families in this nation. God exalt Yourself in this day and with our leaders. Show them the strength of Your power and Your perfect wisdom. I thank You that You solved the greatest problem of all time. You provided the world with a Savior from sin and death who is able to save any who come to Him and the knowledge of the truth, in His name Jesus I pray. Amen.