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. 1 Tim. 2:1-2 (ESV)
Paul used the phrase “first of all” to point out the priority of what he is saying in verse 1. He urged believers to pray for all people. All these four Greek words “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” are synonyms of prayer. Paul is saying, “you need to pray, pray and pray.” The prayer not only includes the well-being of all people but also includes their salvation or anything you can think of.
Some might ask, “Does ‘all people’ include everyone you can think of?” “Do I need to pray for my enemy?” Yes, your enemy is included in the “all people” category.
In addition, Paul specifically points out in verse 2 to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions.” The reason is that we “may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” to fulfill the Great Commission. In the United States, we have leaders in both the national and local arenas, and we ought to pray for them. Pray also for their salvation and the ways they regulate our city.
During the pandemic and election year, brothers and sisters could be divided by their political views and how COVID should be handled. They might love some leaders and hate others. Praying for the leaders we love is easy, but not those we dislike. At times, we feel unease to pray for those we don’t like especially those political leaders that are against our belief.
The truth is God wants you to pray for your leaders. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
I know all brothers and sisters have at least one leader in authority they dislike. I want to challenge you this coming week: not only pray for all people and those who are in authority, but also pray for those leaders you dislike (and might even persecute Christians). Pray for their salvation. May God have mercy on them and on us so that we can carry out His mission without any hindrance.
May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
「我勸你，第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；為君王和一切在位的，也該如此，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事地度日。」（提前2:1-2）
保羅用「首先」一詞來指出他在第1節中所說的優先事項，他敦促信徒為萬人禱告。這四個希臘詞「懇求，禱告，代求和祝謝」都是禱告的同義詞。保羅在說：「你需要禱告、禱告、和禱告。」禱告不僅包括所有人的好處，還包括他們的救恩，或能想到的任何事情。
有人可能會問：「『萬人』是指每一個你能想到的人嗎？」「我需要為我的敵人禱告嗎？」是的，敵人也包括在「萬人」之中。
此外，保羅在第2節中特別指出要「為君王和一切在位的」禱告。原因是我們「可以敬虔、端正、平安無事地度日」來履行大使命。在美國，全國和地方都有掌權者，我們應該為他們祈禱，也為他們的救恩、以及他們的執政掌權方式禱告。
在疫情流行和大選之年，弟兄姐妹可能會在政治觀點以及如何處理疫情上產生分歧，也許擁護某些領導人或討厭某些領導人。為我們所擁護的領導者禱告很容易，對我們不喜歡的領導者則不然。有時，為我們不喜歡的領導者禱告會感到不安，尤其是那些反對我們信仰的政治領導人。
事實是上帝要你為執政掌權者禱告，耶穌在馬太福音5:44說：「只是我告訴你們，要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告。」
我知道每位弟兄姐妹至少有一位不喜歡的政治領袖，我想在本週向你提出挑戰──不僅為所有人和當權者禱告，還要為你不喜歡的政治人物禱告（甚至是迫害基督徒者）。為他們的救恩禱告。願上帝憐憫他們和我們，使我們能無懼地活出祂的使命。
願上帝的旨意行在地上如同行在天上。
～ Rev. Clement Woo 胡嘉明牧師～