1 Timothy 2:1-7

Paul did not command Christians to pray for those in authority. Paul did urge all Christians in the Roman Empire to pray for the empire and the emperor. His urging was strong enough that many Christians today still consider it a rule for all Christians. However, Paul told the church to pray for Rome and the emperor for practical and historical reasons, not theological ones.

It is a historical fact that Rome allowed the people of its empire to worship their own gods. However, Rome granted this freedom with the understanding that the citizens would also show loyalty to Rome by worshiping the goddess Roma, and the spirit of the emperor. The Jewish people rejected all other gods but the God of Israel. When Rome added the Jewish lands to the Empire, they considered the Jewish beliefs in only one god to be arrogant. However, they allowed the Jews not to pray to Roma as long as they prayed and sacrificed for the health of the empire and the emperor to the God of Israel. In AD 66, Jewish revolutionaries stopped making sacrifices at the temple on behalf of the Roman Empire and by doing so declared war on Rome. Paul, by commanding the churches to pray for the emperor and local officials, demonstrated that Christians were good citizens of the Roman Empire and were not part of the revolt. Some Christians questioned Paul’s command because they had the same grievances against Rome that the Jewish revolutionaries had. Paul points out in his letter that God wants his people to live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness. God sent Jesus Christ as a mediator between God and all people, including those in authority.

Praying for those in authority is not a commandment. We pray for those in authority when God leads us to do so. God ordained civil authority with a purpose; He intends for authority to protect society. Our leaders need godly wisdom and guidance. We pray for our leaders because they need our prayers.