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 Timothy 2:1-4
This talks about praying for everyone... including political leaders. I think that is interesting and likely hard for many of us, considering that many people feel polarized about the recent election in the United States, no matter which side they were rooting for.
I like that Timothy explains the reason for such prayers... that it is both important for ourselves *and* for them... we are looking for quiet and peaceable lives, and that will be much more likely if we aren't raging against our our leaders, and also that God is working on saving all men, and perhaps our prayers can make a much bigger difference than our complaints.
It might be even harder on one level to do what Timothy mentions next and actually give thanks for our leaders than to just pray for them in general, since maybe we don't feel all that thankful either way. ... But here the idea is that we should be thankful for everyone, because no matter how we feel about other people in the moment, we *are* all brothers and sisters in the Lord's family, and we're part of each other.
Today, let's pray and give thanks, even for people that we didn't vote for or don't admire. Let's remember that all of us are beloved of God, and there are good spirits in there, no matter who we are or what we've done. God can see the goodness in us, and to honor him, we should do our best to see the good in each other as well. Let's build peace rather than conflict, and work for God's will, even when it isn't our own. :)
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