Pray On Behalf

1 Timothy 2:1-3

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; On behalf of kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God,

On the 22 January morning I woke up praying for a political leader of India and for the party, that the Lord may have a way to carry on His move in this country. It was so surprising, as I never bothered to pray for people in politics with a preconceived notion in my unrenewed mind that politics is a dirty game and that I had nothing to do with it. But waking up with an intense burden for the national leaders, I can't help but prayed for them, especially for the one promising young turf of the ruling party who has been so much mocked and attacked by leaders of the other parties. That incident reminded me of my late maternal grandfather who would pray day and night for the same party when I was still a high schooler growing up under his strict care. At that time too I never understood why he had to pray for political leaders. It never clicked in me to pray for people in politics, albeit I follow the current affairs as regularly as I can, for awareness sake.

Later, in the evening I followed up on the speech made by the said young leader.He was so impressive and I felt it behoved praying for. As I pondered over this matter and the burden for prayer arose, the Lord reminded me of His word, "I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; On behalf of kings and all who are in high position." It is indeed my responsibility as a believer to pray on behalf of all who are in high position, much more, even as a citizen of the nation, as a man in the flesh, even tough, my real citizenship is in the heavens. 

The reason for praying on behalf of the those on high position is that " we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity." For the practical living out of a normal Christian life for the Lord to have an unhindered way to execute His eternal plan on this Satan usurped earth.

Recovery Version Bible Footnote on QUIET 

A quiet and tranquil life is one that is peaceable, still, and without disturbance, not only outwardly in circumstances but also inwardly in our heart and spirit. Such a life enables us to have an enjoyable church life in godliness and gravity.

http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=6631

If the rulers of the nation are not proper, there will never be peace in that country. Therefore, it behoves the believer to pray on behalf of them. That is to be a responsible citizen for the sake of God's interest on the nation, for the proclaiming of the gospel of peace, to bring salvation in the Name of Jesus Christ and discipling the nation for the fulfilment of God's purpose on this usurped earth. This also echoes the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.

After the rebellion of Satan (Ezek. 28:17; Isa. 14:13-15), the earth fell into his usurping hand. Thus, the will of God could not be done on earth as in heaven. Hence, God created man with the intention of recovering the earth for Himself (Gen. 1:26-28). After the fall of man, Christ came to bring the heavenly rule to earth so that the earth could be recovered for God's interest, so that the will of God could be done on earth as in heaven. This is why the new King established the kingdom of the heavens with His followers. The kingdom people must pray for this until the earth is fully recovered for God's will in the coming kingdom age.

http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=229

Such inciting and inspiration by the Spirit to pray for national leaders is not to take side with any parties as such, but to stand in oneness with God for His will to be done on earth."This is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God," therefore I must pray for the rulers too, and pray earnestly for the ones chosen by God to rule that His move may be unhindered, as "Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus the kind of Persia..Ezra 1:1."

"For (God)Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth." 

Lord, make me a faithful citizen to pray on behalf of kings and all who are in high position that we may live a normal Christian life in the normal church-life for the fulfillment of Your eternal purpose.