How fitting that as I reflect on today’s passage I have just watched the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States. Never in history has such a transfer of power caused such controversy, rise in hatred and fear in people. The wisdom of these first few verses I hope will set our hearts on a healthy course, realizing that all we need to do is pray.
Recall verses 1 and 2, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” So pray for President Trump and his new administration. That our duty as followers of Christ and as Americans.
Going on in this passage is something near and dear to my heart–worship. What does this say for us today? Here Paul lays out what a place of worship should look like. When taken out of context, sometimes we use these verses to say how women should dress etc. “as a rule” rather than “in church”. But when read in context, it sets the responsibility for males and females in church. How many times have we seen men with their hands lifted high (especially in a Lutheran tradition)? And for women, it seems he is more concerned with our appearance. Interesting isn’t it?
What about the reference to “anger and controversy”. That is sobering. While there are certainly churches without controversy, I would think that the majority of mainline churches today have one struggle or another that clouds the truth and also distracts from true worship. What is your struggle?
Perhaps what we should focus on here is prayer. “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” Pray for all people, even those who persecute or don’t believe, and perhaps they need our prayers even more because God desires all of us (his children) to be connected to him. Maybe it is that simple? Pray. Who are you praying for today?
Let’s pray. Father we lift up our new President to you and thank you for the hopes and dreams you have instilled in him for the future of our nation. Guide him and us as we follow your will. Thank you that we can have true hope in you and what you have in store for us. Shine through us and make our lives a living act of worship to you in all we say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
