1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. (The Message)
This letter to Timothy from Paul is a letter of encouragement and guidance. It is a word of wisdom from a mentor to a younger person that Paul sees as having great potential. So the words are written with love and concern for the future that Timothy is going to embrace. So when it comes to leadership what does Paul say is the most important thing? He starts with prayer, not just prayer for the present moment, not just prayer for those immediately surrounding Timothy, not just prayer for the health or wellbeing of those closest to Timothy. Paul says that Timothy should pray for those he knows personally as well as those he knows at a distance. The prayers should not be directed so that Timothy gets his own way but that those he prays for might do what is right and good so that Timothy might live a simple God honoring life. This kind of prayer is not broadcast with headlines or megaphones but done away from the limelight as Jesus directed. It is a reminder for all of us that we should be praying!
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- If you were Timothy and you wanted to hear the key to good leadership what would you have expected to hear from Paul?
- Who would have been the rulers and government officials that Paul was encouraging Timothy to pray for? Were these people and governments receptive to the ways of Jesus?
- If Paul asked us to pray for the rulers and government officials today who would they include?
- Pick one person in a leadership role that you have not agreed with philosophically and pray for their well being and positive leadership abilities in the coming week.
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