I’ve Voted, Now What?

Introduction

A vote is important. It’s one of the great benefits of being a citizen under a democratic government. But a vote is not the Christian’s most powerful or most important tool for shaping their country. Think about it. A vote allows a Christian to take part in the selection of those in authority. But we have to pick from among flawed people, and don’t always get the ones who hold values we believe in. Yet we have a more powerful tool at our disposal – direct access to the President of presidents (or King of kings). In the early 20th century, individuals across Wales began to pray for revival. God laid it on their hearts, and they started praying – earnestly. Some prayed for years, some for months. And God listened. One day God stirred up a man named Evan Roberts, and sent him to preach. From that first day he challenged people to turn from sin and obey God. It was like a fire was spreading. Tens of thousands of people confessed a belief in Jesus Christ and the gospel spread. In response to earnest prayer and preaching, God sent revival and awakening to the country of Wales. Are you ready to see how God ties together prayer and those in authority 1 Timothy 2:1-4? Let’s get started…

Observation

Pray

The same God who directs and appoints rulers, wants to help you understand His Word. Begin with prayer, asking God to open your eyes and heart to what He is saying in His Word. Submit your mind to Him, and ask Him to help you accept every truth in the passage.

Read Focus Verses

Read our passage for today, 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Try to read it with a fresh perspective. You’ve probably heard it preached or talked about before, but don’t miss any of it. Let God speak to you through this passage.

The Christian’s Responsibility

According to verse 1, what are Christians to do for everyone?

Special People

Among all people, what types of individuals are emphasized in verse 2?

Why?

Based on verse 2, what benefit do believers experience by praying for everyone, especially those in authority?

Pleased

In verse 3, we are told that such prayers are pleasing to someone. Who is that?

God's Desire

What is God’s desire, according to verse 4?

Keyword – “all”

It’s easy to pray for people or those in authority that we like, but it seems that God wants us to include more individuals. This symbol can help us see how often God uses the word “all” in this passage.

Mark “all”

Mark every instance of “all.” Notice how many of them there are in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Interpretation

Different Kinds of Prayer

Did you notice that verse 1 uses four different words to describe different aspects of the prayers we are to pray? Check out the brief descriptions of each aspect of prayer on this page.

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King

Based on the many different forms of government, some nations are not ruled by a “king.” Let’s see what the word translated into “king” means.

For the Lord’s Sake

Read 1 Peter 2:13-14.

Anything else?

In addition to prayer, what does the Lord command us to do in relation to those in authority?

Established by God

In the election process, citizens have an opportunity to cast their votes. Read Romans 13:1 to see who makes the final authority.

Who's the Boss?

How does it make you feel to know that no one holds a position of authority (whether in government, church, family, or the workplace) without God’s sign-off?

Not Just Good Ones…

As King Nebuchadnezzar recounts the miraculous signs God did to him, he mentions how God will even appoint a certain type of leader in order to show that He is ruler of the kingdoms of men. See the Daniel 4:17.

God's Desire

God’s desire is made clear in 1 Timothy 2:4. Is this repeated anywhere else in the Bible? See Ezekiel 33:11.

Distracted

It’s easy for our desires to become directed towards things that benefit us. As believers, we must yearn for the things that are important to God. Based on 1 Timothy 2:4 and Ezekiel 33:11, what is God most interested in?

Powerful Prayer

Bobby Richardson played second base for the New York Yankees during the late 1950's and early 1960's. He also won five gold gloves and played in 7 All-Star games. Bobby was a committed Christian who volunteered his time with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). At a FCA gathering, Bobby was asked to pray. Take a look at his simple, yet powerful prayer.

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Application

Struggles

Journal some of the reasons why one may struggle to pray for those in authority?

Authority

Who are some people that hold authoritative roles in your life?

Prayer

What are some things that you will commit to praying for them about?

Pray!

Scripture is not something to merely be understood, we must obey. Now that you understand the need to pray for those in authority, there’s no better time to do so than now. Feel free to listen to this instrumental worship song as you pray.

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study caused you to trust God more regardless of those who are in authority as well as convicted you to pray for them.

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