1 Timothy 2:1–2: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

July 9th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We might be surprised when we notice the date this was written. Caesar Nero, the most despotic ruler Rome ever knew, was leading the Roman Empire. As Paul wrote this letter, persecution was a growing reality for many of the believers he was writing to. Only a few years later, when Nero needed a scapegoat for the fire that destroyed Rome, which he probably set, he blamed the Roman Christians. This triggered severe persecution. Christians were not only denied common rights of citizenship, but were also publicly butchered in the Coliseum for entertainment. It’s interesting that Paul didn’t advocate praying against Caesar, but instead told them to pray for those in authority.

God changes the direction of a nation when people pray. We are called to pray, not criticize. In fact, we are told to aspire to a “quiet and peaceable life.” Quiet refers to the absence of external disturbances, and peaceable refers to the absence of internal ones, which is exactly the kind of life Jesus lived seamlessly. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah recorded a profound description of life God’s way, a quiet peaceful life in the fullness of the Holy Spirit: “You will keep him in perfect peace, / Whose mind is stayed on You, / Because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3).

“LORD, we desire to walk in Your peace and lead a quiet and simple life this day, in Jesus’ name.”