From Tom's foray into Chapter 1 last week where the complex question of who is telling the truth and who and what shall we believe, the choice being between Bush, our own elected politicians or Saddam Hussein's diplomats. We don't know whom to believe so we believe no one. We don't know what is the truth so we play safe and assume nothing is true. Well it may be difficult for us to distinguish truth from lies, however it should not be difficult to distinguish truth from lies, when we study scripture. Tom ended with the simple truth of the gospel that Jesus Christ came into the world to rescue sinners. Those who believed this would save from eternal death

We turn once again to Paul's letter to young Timothy dealing again with similar issues that we face to day. Timothy was being given advice as how endless controversies, which lead nowhere. To recognise that these things deflect us from the simple truth of the scriptures. And the simple truth in this chapter is that prayer is essential. It is to know God's will and to make that will our prayer Paul begins this chapter with these words

I urge, then, first of all that you pray.

Of first importance in your life as Christians is that you PRAY.

He writes as if God himself begs us to pray.

Well Paul in this insistence tells just how to do this, he says pray in four specific ways Requests, (ii) continual Prayers, (iii) intercession and (iv) thanksgiving.

(Now this format of praying may be a little new to some who use ACTS, adoration, confession, thanksgiving & supplication, as mnemonic for Prayer.)

Paul is very specific here, drawing attention to a particular and urgent need for prayer. He urges, begs us to be specific, to be focussed in our 'requests', then he reminds us that our 'prayer' should be constant, without ceasing, we should always be praying, he urges us to intercede, make petitions and finally thanksgiving, to give thanks to God.

Well yes that is all very basic, I think we all know that, what's remarkable about that?

What is remarkable is that Paul's request is that we pray for leaders, those who have authority over nations, Kings, Presidents, Emperors.

To pray for all those have the power to control and influence the very freedom of individual people.

Why does he urge, beg us to specifically pray for those in authority.? Well three reasons. First that there will be peace, (not freedom from the usual problems in our personal lives) a peace that gives freedom for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be freely communicated. That through hearing the gospel, people may discover that Jesus Christ is their Saviour and finally because it is what God wants' Paul says It is what pleases God.

The purpose then of prayer in this particular chapter is to create an orderly society in which the simple gospel may be freely available to everyone.

Well what has that all to do with us? We have freedom of speech, our leaders are often very reasonable, and we are not at war.

Well not actually at war, but Britain seems to have been brought to a place where a decision has to be made to either support the United States or seek the support of the United Nations in going to war against Iraq.

Clearly we have a problem. The Cof E Newspaper, informs us that "the Bishops of the Cof E solemnly warned warned that a pre-emptive war against Iraq was not justified" They spoke of "their responsibility for the spiritual well being of the whole nation "and national duty to raise these ethical & moral issues."

It is an excellent article well argued and very relevant.

I do not know if what was reported was anyway near the whole story, but for me one thing seems to be missing, and perhaps rightly so if not addressed to Christians. It was the critical issue of prayer. Could not a plea, from the bishops, a begging from them, that the nation or parliament, intercede on behalf of Blair, Bush and Saddam Hussein. Requesting God to reveal His will to these leaders?

I guess this sounds rather ridiculous, inane, simplistic, and very foolish. Typical pie in the sky when you die, head in the clouds Christianity. After all we are dealing with real important global issues here. Dealing with powerful men & committee who control our world.

What part could God play in all this??

I humbly submit, with the full authority of Scripture, wishing with all my heart to serve & please my Lord that we .. here … should be praying…..

Making our focussed requests, interceding for and giving thanks for George Bush, Tony Blair & Saddam Hussein. Just as Paul, inspired by the HS urges us to do.

I also believe that God is the God of the whole world. Whose offer of salvation is to the Iraqi children as much as the children in Ireland or Israel?

I believe that our prayers are global, what we pray here in Bunbury has an effect in Baghdad,
(chaos .. butterfly in China…. etc)

Christianity is global. Do you imagine that Jesus died only for those in the West, potential Christians, who are white or who have no religion? Do we believe in a geographic God?

Did Jesus not die for every Muslim, Hindu and Every Buddhist?

Christianity is global, God is global. Offering Salvation globally and requires global prayer.

It is time Christians of a certain hue recognised that God died for the whole world

I guess I must be careful here, I do not hold with a Universalist view, that salvation is a given gift to everyone.

It seems very clear to me that whoever, whenever, wherever people turn to God they will be saved, but not 'however'.

Salvation is not freely available regardless of their response to Jesus Christ.

However God demonstrates that He is both exclusive and inclusive. Exclusive in that there is but one God, there is no other God.

Inclusive in that He is God of all peoples. And it is the claim of Jesus Christ that He is the only mediator between God and man, as there must be between a Holy God and
sinful people.

I would say that God's offer of Salvation is comprehensive rather than universal.

It is again a very simple message.
Pray… be clear as you make your requests to God
Be constant in your prayers for the world leaders
Be an intercessor, or pray on behalf of world leaders
And recognise that all authority is of God, so give thanks.

Simple does not mean easy.

Finally Paul has urged us to live peaceful, quite lives in all godliness and holiness. Now that may not fit too comfortably upon my shoulders, but the reason that I should demonstrate these virtues is that those who are seeking God, even if they do not know it, may look at me, at any Christian and trust what they see. Believe what they see. And ultimately imitates us as we imitate Jesus Christ the one we profess to follow.

What example of Christianity do the Muslims see when they look at 'the West.
A Christian continent? What image of Christianity is portrayed when they look at America?
What statement of Christianity does Britain demonstrate to the people of Iraq?

Many Muslims only view of Christianity is though the media, through films, through threats, economic oppression and bombing, portrays. How can this possibly change?

God's word says pray for all those in authority that we may live in peace and quiet. , And that our corporate lives may reflect Godliness and holiness

The only pre-emptive action we should take at this time is to pray

Rick Gates