The apostolic message, i.e. God´s word, is pretty plain.  We should pray for our rulers.  1 Tim. 2:1-5 is a key reference.  On that all Christians agree.

But that kind of a consensus is in danger of becoming rather empty.  What do we mean?  How should we pray?  When the Lord said, "Seek the welfare of the city... for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jer. 29:7.  What kind of welfare do we seek on behalf of our nation?

Is it just economic welfare?  Business welfare? "World peace through World trade"?  (One old IBM slogan.)  You name it. However, it´s not what the Spirit inspired apostle is hinting at.

He is thinking of the spiritual welfare of "kings and all who are in high positions", for further down in the passage in question he reveals his and God´s desire about their salvation and their coming to the knowledge of truth pointing passionately to Christ and the gospel testimony "given at the proper (or fitting) time" - which is right now!  2 Cor. 6:2.

Paul was under both a Roman and Jewish administration.  But what was his concern for his countrymen?  Some political program?  Some revolutionary ideas?  No, here was his concern, "My heart´s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved!" (Rom. 10:1)

When standing before king Agrippa, a voice from Rome, he didn´t discuss politics, but he cared for the welfare of his lost soul!  Act 26:24-29.

Is that our heart´s desire too?  I feel rather sad when I notice how my fellow Christians in America and in my own country are often obsessed  about political issues, quarrels, fake or real news, public personalities, etc. instead of being attuned to the heart´s desire of Paul - and of God!

But the church has different priorities.  Billy Graham once remarked, "The church has become a mission field instead of a mission force".  Let us think of that, not at least when we´re having a good, social time with coffee and cookies after the Sunday service!

Oct. 20, 2018 - jn