Under Authority, Praying for Leaders

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence,” 1 Tim. 2:2.

In this single verse, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use four of the seven words for prayer found in the New Testament. Although synonymous, each word carries significant meaning. Such praying must therefore be vitally important.

Whereas obedience unto God’s word is the requirement for and evidence of all committed Christians, the question of why p...