Prayer for Politics

I was listening to TFL this past week and Alistair was teaching on 1 Timothy Chapter 2. There are many applications within these 15 verses. From some of it he talks about the importance of prayer. In the first two verses he reminded us how we typically complain about our countries leaders rather than pray for them.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Tim 2:1-2.

Anita and I are both discouraged with the whole Presidential political process. It seems more of a popularity contest. And we don't really have much to chose from if we're to think we should just set up a person in office and say, "Ok, do your job and don't make my life here miserable." But what Paul is saying is "pray for them and those in authority. Alistair asked (quoting loosely), "Do you think the Berlin wall came down because of Reagan's ingenuity? No, it came down because of prayers of the people of God crying out to him."

So our attitude should be more for praying for our leaders going through this selection process. There are likely all kinds of specifics to pray for. Think about it. Pray about it. One that comes to my mind is for whomever the candidate that takes the presidency would rely more on wisdom from above rather than the wisdom of this age.

Doubting Didymus

I first took notice a few weeks ago that Thomas was also called Didymus. Most of us has heard the nickname, Doubting Thomas, but no one has ever called anyone a "Doubting Didymus". I think the alliteration would be more catchy, don't you?

Or maybe Sarchastic Toned Thomas? Read John chapter 11:1-16 and look from the point of view of the disciples that were with Jesus. Make your own observations but let me share what I noticed.

• They had just come from Judea prior, where Jesus escaped from being killed by the unbelieving Jews.
• They waited there two days after hearing news that Lazarus was sick.
• Then Jesus says we should go back after knowing Lazarus had died.

Jesus' plan was to glorify God and his disciples were simply trying to follow him and sort out the circumstances. They told him, "hey, the Jews tried to stone you back there and you want to go back??" Not only Thomas but I think they all weren't sure about what was going to happen. And then as Jesus revealed all he knew, that Lazarus was dead and the was to go there to give proof of why they should believe, Doubting Didymus pipes up and says (I imagine it in a sarchastic tone), "Oh sure, let us also go, that we may die with him". I chuckled to myself when I read it from that point of view. More seriously though, I now observe that he was not focusing on Christ but on the dangerous circumstances they had left behind two days ago.

I think we all find it difficult to keep our eyes on Jesus and instead look at and try to sort out the circumstances. I admit I do all too often. And it will take some practice to become skilled at living, obeying, facing the enemy, taking on the challenge, or whatever it might be in the midst of and in spite of what we are feeling. I've heard Alistair Begg say that courage is not the absence of fear but carrying on to face the circumstances despite our feelings of fearfulness. And then what I've noticed is when I keep our eyes on Jesus the circumstances become small, and my fears dissipate.