I am continuing to add to the “series” about praying for one leaders. Last night as the fourth and final presidential debate for 2012, I came to the place where I shut off the debate and began to pray for blessing on the debates, blessing upon the two contenders, moderator and gallery.

So, I have added the newest video on “what will result” when we pray for the men or women in leadership(authority) today.1 Timothy 3:14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1–8 (NKJV)

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

WHAT KIND OF PRAYERS?

A. SUPPLICATIONS…
1. These are petitions for certain definite needs
2. Humble requests which one makes in the light of this or that concrete situation which God alone can furnish help
3. E.g., when leaders are faced with a crisis

B. PRAYERS…
1. Perhaps used here to refer to requests for the fulfillment of needs always present
2. In contrast with ‘supplications’ in specific situations
3. E.g., when leaders are faced with routine duties of governing

C. INTERCESSIONS…
1. “pleading in the interest of others”
2. Just as Christ does for us – cf. He 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
3. E.g., praying on behalf a leader

D. GIVING OF THANKS…
1. Expressing gratitude for blessings received
2. Thus completing the ‘circle’ begun when requests were first
made
3. E.g., when leaders have led their country to prosperity, or out
of a crisis

[Such are the prayers we are to offer for those in positions of
authority. Have we said such prayers lately…?]

II. WHY PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY?

A. SO WE CAN LIVE A CERTAIN WAY…
1. With lives that are ‘quiet’ and ‘peaceable’ – 1Ti 2:2 a.
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
I.e., tranquil and calm
b. Especially in our relationship with men – cf. 1Th 4:11-12 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
2. With lives lived in all ‘godliness’ and ‘reverence’ – 1Ti 1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
a. I.e., piety and gravity
b. Especially in our relationship with God – cf. Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious …
3. What does praying have to do with producing peace?
a. God is in ultimate control – cf. Dan 2:20-21; 4:25; Ro 13:
1-2; Re 1:5
b. God can influence those in authority to do His will – cf.
Pr 21:1; Isa 10;5-7,12,15
c. We can influence God through prayer! – cf. Lk 18:7-8
— “Truly the ‘prayer closet’ is more likely to succeed than the
‘voting booth’ or the ‘terrorist’s bomb’!”