Pray for the Republic: A Call for Churches to Obey 1 Timothy 2:1–3

Pray for the Republic. Our turbulent times testify to the war of worldviews within our society. We all feel it, and during an intense election cycle, everything appears more combustible. With the unprecedented conviction of a former president and current presidential candidate, under dubious circumstances, everything feels unstable. Much of this appears to be an attempt to bait a trap, to foment violence for political gain. What are Christians to do?

I realize that by even recognizing this reality, I will be accused by some Christians of “political idolatry.” Such arguments display a towering amount of biblical ignorance. The Bible, in no uncertain terms, directs us to pray for our political leaders. Paul writes these words in 1 Timothy 2:1–3:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

According to Paul, praying for political leaders is a matter of great importance. Of all the things Paul could have listed as “first” in importance to Timothy, it wasn’t having a plurality of elders, it wasn’t a specific program, but a command to pray for the realm of politics! This is the command Paul gives to Timothy as he seeks to build healthy churches. This surprises us because we have been discipled to think in the categories of the secular versus the sacred. The Bible has no room for such a dichotomy. The church of Christ ignores the political realm of life to her own harm.  

Why should the church pray for political leaders? So that we may be left alone to live “peaceful” and “quiet” lives. In short, we pray for good governing so that the state would not intrude into the sphere of the church. The church has a vested interest in limited government, a stable society, and religious liberty. To that end, we are called to pray, and such prayer is pleasing to God (1 Tim. 2:3). In our turbulent times, our lack of political prayers is certainly unpleasing to God.

 As Americans, we tend to individualize and privatize such commands. Of course, there is nothing wrong with private prayers for our leaders. Indeed, Christians should be regularly praying for our leaders, that righteousness would prevail and that wickedness would be defeated. Yet, this command is given primarily to the corporate church, not the individual Christian. Fulfilling this command must come in our worship services and prayer meetings, not our individual quiet time.

Paul makes this reality explicit. He wrote 1 Timothy as a guide for the life of the gathered, and corporate church. He explains in 1 Timothy 3:14–15:

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Paul wrote this letter to teach us how to “behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God.” In short, corporate prayer for our political leaders is a matter of first importance for the gathered church. It should be a regular part of our public worship. The question becomes, “Why have so many churches ignored this simple command?”

I know some churches faithfully practice such prayer, but they are the exception, not the rule.  I became convicted about our church’s lack of such prayer about a year and a half ago. Since then, we implemented corporate prayer for our political leaders on the first Sunday of every month. I hope more churches will join us.

Still, the pervasive lies of secularism persist. Christians are told to abandon such prayer so that we do not appear “political.” Meanwhile, that area of life clearly needs our prayers. Thus, we are faced with a choice between the doctrines of secularism and the doctrines of Scripture. Which will we obey? In a time where the political realm of life is unstable, we are reaping the fruits of the church’s negligence in fulfilling this command.

Over the last several decades, so much fantastic work has been done to reclaim biblical ecclesiology. This work has recovered many important doctrines for the ordering and practicing of church life. Yet, the lies of secularism cause us to ignore this plain command—publicly pray for the governmental realm of life. When churches faithfully obey it, God moves and answers the prayers of his people. It is a practical way to seek the good of our cities, states, and nation (Jer. 29:7). When pastors lead their congregation in this way, it also shepherds their people on how to think about this area of life, instead of abandoning their sheep to the wolves.  

This is my call to all pastors, elders, and Christians—pray for the Republic. God’s arm is not too short, he is not disinterested in this realm of life, and he has ordained the corporate prayer of his people to be a means by which the world is changed. The church has a vested interest in praying for peace, stability, and the limited nature of government. Pastors and elders, in the coming weeks, please read 1 Timothy 2:1–3 to your congregation and then lead them in prayer for our nation. Make it a regular part of your corporate ministry. This is not politicizing the church, but a way in which we practice our faith in all of life.

I believe that if the faithful church would obey the command of 1 Timothy 2:1–3, we would see the Lord answer our prayers and the church would be blessed through it. Such prayers are not a distraction from the gospel ministry of the church but are linked to God’s desire to see all people saved (1 Tim. 2:4). It turns out, that a stable, limited, and properly functioning state is fertile ground for the advancement of the gospel. To this end, let us pray.

Pastor Levi Secord

Christ Bible Church