1 Timothy 2:1-4  First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. The is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (CSB)

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Election season is over. Which means we are at the front end of the next election season. (Feel free to sigh audibly.)

Here’s what we can most likely reasonably assert:

1. President Trump and President Biden will not run again.
2. Vice President Harris will likely be replaced as the Democratic Party nominee.
3. Both parties require new standard bearers and, according to those who study such things, new standards. 

We either live in a moment of great danger or of opportunity. This is no time for shrinking violets. It’s a good time for the grownups in our political parties to step up and lead with integrity and character. It’s a good time for people like you and me to give full and focused attention to the verses above.

One of our Christian duties is to pray “for kings and all those who are in authority.” The Apostle Paul tells us how to pray for our leaders. He says, “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

Wouldn’t it be good if we could feel good about our government no matter which party’s head lived in the White House? Wouldn’t it be something if the two major parties performed like the loyal opposition seeking the common good instead of warring camps in a winner-take-all death match? 

Once upon a time in America, that’s how things worked. Never perfectly, but frequently without Sound Bite Fights and caustic reprisals. Things can be better again, and you and I have a part in making it so. Prayer matters. God listens. Things change for the better when we respond to God’s invitation to pray alone and together, and we seek his highest and best, even for those we oppose politically.

These kinds of prayers are part of my daily commute. I ask God to bless us with the leaders we need and not the leaders we deserve. I ask him to provide us with leaders of integrity and character in every domain of community life. I ask him to provide us with leaders who seek the highest and best of those they serve. I ask him for leaders who are growing disciples of Jesus and who have a deep and abiding walk with him. 

Together, let’s take to heart what the Apostle Paul wrote during the days of the Caesars. If he could pray and live like that then, we most certainly should do it now as well. 

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I will pray for our elected and appointed leaders in this land and those of great power in other lands as well.

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Our Father, bless us with leaders who will do the kind of work it takes to produce tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Bless the two main political parties with wise reconsideration of where they stand and what should happen next. Bless us with leaders who seek the common good rather than class warfare. Bless us with leaders who serve instead of rule, who work from a place of love rather than a cage match. Amen.