I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:1-4).
Reading from verse one, we learn that we should pray for all men. And in verse 4, we learn why it is good in God's sight to do this. It is God's will for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. God loves the souls of all men and by His grace He gave Christ for all (Ezek 18:4, Ezek 18:23, Ezek 18:32; Ezek 33:11; Jonah 4:10-11; John 3:16; 2 Cor 5:14; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet 3:9; 1 John 2:2).
God wants us to be like Him and love and pray for all men, including the wicked (even ones like Hymenaeus and Alexander as the context of 1 Tim 2 demonstrates), that they may be saved. This would naturally lead us to pray for our enemies too (Mat 5:44).
Also, take note of the specific reason we are told to pray for all those in authority. We should pray for all those in authority "that we (Christians) may lead quiet, peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim 2:2).
What better prayer request than to plead with the Lord to give us a quiet and peaceable life so that we can serve Him in all godliness and purity.
This was also Paul's desire for the brethren at Thessalonica. He was most concerned that they remain faithful to the new life they had learned in Christ and that they walk in holiness (1 Thes 4:1-8).
Sometimes when Christians have a mind to walk in holiness, we may be restricted in that decision if our leaders and officials do not have that same mind also. We must pray daily for all those in authority to guide the community and the nation in ways that would allow us to serve God without hindrance. If God gives us what we ask, we surely should use that opportunity to teach the lost and to walk in holiness ourselves.
Beth Johnson