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, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
P.R.A.Y. – 1 Timothy 2
AlI have to do is scroll through Instagram or Facebook to see that there are more people complaining about those in authority and leadership (whether it is presidents, kings, governors, bosses, etc.) than there are praying for them. It was probably the same in the Roman Empire during Paul and Timothy’s time. People were frustrated with their problems of daily life and dissatisfied with the actions of the government or disagreed with their bosses.
When I read 1 Timothy 2, I was certainly convicted. How often do I complain about those in authority in comparison to how often I pray for them? I remember to pray for and believe the best about ordinary people far more often than I do for those who have authority over me.
Who has authority over me?
There are several levels of authority in our lives. The closest and earliest forms are within our own families (parents or spouses). As we go to school, we come under the authority of teachers. Then, as we get jobs and then careers, our bosses become another authority figure. The spiritual leader of our church has authority over our church family. Government officials hold positions that affect the way we live our lives. We can remember those categories with a simple acronym:
P.R.A.Y.
P – Public Officials (Government)
R – Report To (Teachers/Bosses)
A – Ambassadors of Christ (Pastors)
Y – Your Family (Parents/Spouses)
P – Public Officials (Government)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1
R – Report To (Teachers/Bosses)
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 1 Timothy 6:1
Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Titus 2:9-10
A – Ambassadors of Christ (Pastors)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12
Y – Your Family (Parents/Spouses)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:1-3
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 6:20
Why should we pray for everyone?
Why should we pray for everyone, even those in authority that irritate us or cause us problems?
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-7
Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for ALL people. The ultimate price was paid for all people, even those who annoy us or have authority over us. We are not better than them. We are saved by grace through the sacrifice of the Son of God.
Specific Instructions for Men and Women in the Church
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 1 TImothy 2:8-15
Men –
Pray and worship without anger or quarreling.
Women –
Wear modest clothing and exhibit self-control – her most distinctive characteristic should be her good works. She demonstrates her submission to God’s authority by submitting to her husband’s authority.
In Conflict with Culture
This section can be confusing, especially in our post-feminist western culture. I actually spent a ton of time listening to Bible teachers digging into the Greek in this passage as well as other passages about authority issues between men and women in the past few weeks. From that study, I would interpret this to mean that a woman should submit to her husband. Also, it is my personal belief after studying and listening to people who are smarter than me that “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man” refers to a woman not holding the position of lead pastor in a church. I will admit that I don’t know why God mandates this and still don’t completely understand verse 15.
I will also admit that the idea of a woman not having authority over a man does not jive with the way our 2023 culture views men and women. However, I fully believe the Bible, so when my cultural view conflicts with what the Bible says, my responsibility is to submit to the Word of God and adjust my views to fall in line with God’s view.
Disclaimer: Through my study, I also learned that this authority is not a license for abuse of any kind or a mandate for women to submit to everything no matter what. Bible passages are not in isolation, they must be read in the context of all other scripture.
Praying for my husband and pastor consistently can help me to choose to submit to their authority when my emotions are trying to lead me astray.
1 Timothy 2 Action Step:
Download the free printable prayer cards to fill out with your specific authority figures or make your own – take some time today to pray for those people or place it somewhere to remind you to pray daily for them.
Share your thoughts in the comments on this post or under the 1 Timothy 1 post at www.facebook.com/devoinaction or tag me @devoinaction on Instagram – I’d love to hear what you think and see pics of your Bible journaling!
1 Timothy 2 Prayer:
Dear God, help me to read your Word and bring my life into alignment with it even when I find it uncomfortable. I ask that you bring the people in authority in my life into relationship with You and give them wisdom as they lead. Remind me to pray for them when I am tempted to complain about them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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