Devotional of the Week August 30-September 5

1 Timothy 2

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time

Sometimes we think that people in high places such as politicians and government officials are beyond salvation because of their worldly office. Sometimes we think of people in political office as 'them' and ourselves as 'us.' We develop an adversarial attitude towards government leaders, and so it is an 'us' versus 'them' mentality at times. One the greatest tools we have on hand, which is so underutilized, is prayer. Prayer is not a passive activity or a copt out as people like to think, but is a powerful adjunct in effecting positive change.

Not only must we work for change, but we must also pray for change. Work and pray, work and pray -the two go together. We work for the salvation of others and we pray for the salvation of others. We pray, and God provides the opportunities and resources so that we can do the work we need to do. Praying and working however requires faith, for we must work with the belief that our prayers will be answered. Now that takes faith! Let us then continue to pray for each other, and do the work necessary for the saving of souls.