The Priority of Constructing Prayers of Leaders and Peace
The holy scriptures instruct that the administration of the church’s role on earth begin with prayer. This is not just a general call to pray and worship, but it is a calling to pray for the health, blessing and functioning of our country.
The Church of God is on Planet Earth to make a difference. Prayer is the first tool in the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth. If we are honest, we would not list prayer for leaders and for peace and the top priority of the leadership and the body of the church. But, the Holy Spirit with His heavenly perspective urged us to construct prayers for just that.
Let’s read out loud together: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 AMP “First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Let’s read another version out loud. Please listen to see if the meaning is more clear:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 [PASTOR’S AMPLIFIED VERSION]
[PRIORITY] “First of all [options], then,
[DUTY] I urge that
[ENTREATY] * petitions [requests], * prayers [personal], * intercessions [for others], and * thanksgivings [and praise]
[CREATIVITY] be offered [constructed]
[PRACTICALITY] on behalf [benefit] of
[EQUALITY] all
[CITIZENRY] people [born and unborn; each demographic status],
[AUTHORITY] for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, [Legislative, Executive, Judicial]
[UNITY] so that we [together, in wholehearted agreement, in community, we - the opposite of me]
[ACTIVITY] may live [freely, abundantly]
[TRANQUILITY] a peaceful [externally, unrestricted, without violence or threats] and
[SERENITY] quiet life [internally, eternally, overwhelmingly hopeful and confident]
[LIBERTY] in all [liberally and completely. Freedom to and freedom from]
[PIETY / DIVINITY] godliness [created the 6th day in the Trinity’s image, horizontal and vertical, exercising all aspects of our Christianity]
[GRAVITY / DIGNITY] and dignity [worthy of the blood of Christ, shining, reflecting the life and character of Christ Himself.]
[TRINITY] The Heavenly Father; The Incarnate, Crucified, Risen and Ascended Jesus; and The Holy Spirit! Reflected in many structures of society.
Let’s break this down a bit more specific to see how it may apply to us today.
1. PRIORITY – [proton, panton] The first task, the important function, the urgent, #1 thing among all things, the key, indispensable role of the church of God, the spiritual army of royal and holy priests, the New Testament church in action…
2. DUTY – [Parakalo] As church leaders and mature believers joyfully, passionately and forcefully ask, plead, beg the saints to joyfully, passionately and forcefully embrace and fulfill God’s calling on us…
3. ENTREATY – [proseuchas] with four types of prayers,
a. Petitions: to make specific requests,
b. Prayers: for ourselves and
c. Intercessions: for others,
d. Thanksgivings: thankfully, worshipfully lifting our eyes to heaven, relying on and reflecting the Trinity’s relationship within itself…
4. CREATIVITY – [poieisthai] Take time and giving effort to explore, construct, create, design, define, layout prayers…
5. PRACTICALITY – [hyper] On behalf of, benefiting, concerning, sympathetically, with full knowledge, insight and heart…
6. EQUALITY – [panton] All, each and every individual and subgroup, to experience equal and consistent freedom, regardless of religion, gender (male and female), race, ethnicity, economic condition, diverse locations, urban, suburbs, rural, differing political party or persuasions, age, demographics, …
7. CITIZENRY – [anthropon] The country, born and unborn, each demographic, urban, suburban, and rural, culture, political persuasions, religion, education…
a. Participating wholeheartedly in,
b. Supporting verbal and written, cheerfully, willingly,
c. Believing in,
d. Behaving in a way that is bring about us experiencing peace
e. By humbly honoring, valuing, obeying, serving, paying the systems and authorities…
8. AUTHORITY – [hyperoche] People of character and values, raised up and take office, in positions supporting, celebrating, functioning, working in a understanding, sympathetic, unhindered, wise way, as modeled by the Great and Good Shepherd and Great High Priest …
a. Principalities, local, county, state, and national government…
b. Legislative: by laws; legislative, law givers, and systems,
c. Executive: the carrying out the laws; executive, rulers, prosecutors, military, police, punitive and correctional systems,
d. Military & Intelligence: Protecting against foreign foes, forces, and efforts.
e. Judicial: Fair and equal protection and just punishment; judicial, judges, and systems
f, Other: Pastors, fathers, etc.
9. UNITY – [panton] As one body and nation and system and experience, with diversity, not uniformity but united. Out of many, one. The opposite of me is we.
10. ACTIVITY – [bios] Earthly, physical life invested or consumed over time, biography.
11. TRANQUILITY – [eremon] External peace and harmony, without experiencing or involved with turmoil, commotion, disturbance, bribes, extortion, persecution, harm, discrimination, lawlessness, rebellion or anarchy…
12. SERENITY – [hesychion] Internal peace and joy with God and people. Without fear, quiet spirit and heart and mind, undisturbed, without commotion, at rest, divinely inspired inner calmness, quiet spirit, calm…
13. LIBERTY – [pase] Both freedom to and freedom from. Every, verbal, written, political, structural, legal opportunities by promoting, defending, supporting, pursuing, avenging, without malicious taxation, restrictions, hindrances, discouragements…
14. PIETY / DIVINITY – [eusebeia] Inner reverence. As created beings, in view of being created in the image of God, the Trinity (both equality/horizontal and harmony/vertical), to love, in honor and devotion, obeying God, His name, His Word; living out our universal responsibility and privilege to be in relationship with our Creator, fulfilling our duty to worship, pray and unite in paying homage to God and pursue life pertaining to God. Created on the 6th day in the Trinity’s image.
15. GRAVITY / DIGNITY – [semnoteti] In view of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation and the obedience, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, we each are of equal value/worth, true dignitaries, valuing all human life as precious and of inestimable significance. Enjoying the freedom to value, love and honor people; to assembly and fellowship, propagate the Gospel, disciple, and carry out all divine ‘one another injunctions pertaining to people and social interactions, with decency and justice, living out Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 2:42 in all efforts and ways. Value displayed on the cross.
16. TRINITY – Reflecting the spirit and roles of the Heavenly Father’s leadership and Only-begotten Son’s humility and obedience. Reflecting the spirit of servant leadership of the Good Shepherd and the grateful response of the flock, the Bride of Christ. Horizontal: The members of the Trinity are all equal, united, and have all things in common. Vertical: The members of the Trinity are in subjection, each fulfilling their roles, displaying responsibility, harmony, and humility. Society reflects this in Christianity, marriage, parenting, employment, and government.
Martin Luther King Jr. “Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—war, tension, confusion, but it is the presence of some positive force—justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of God.”
