TUESDAY, JUNE 18
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1,2

1 Timothy 2:1,2 says, “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.” Is it possible that our tradition about 1 Timothy 2:1,2 regarding prayer for kings or leaders actually leads us to extend the life of the wicked? Have we believed we are supposed to be praying for, which is Priestly, instead of praying against, which is Kingly? If the leaders have chosen behavior worthy of the Judicial Hand of God, we may have to rethink when we apply 1 Timothy 2:1,2. If that is the case, we have prayed mercy and blessing when we should have been praying justice. Our tradition has been so Priestly it has extended the life of the wicked by praying blessing on those who need to be removed. The majority of the American church specifically believe that our job in intercession is to pray blessing for our leadership. They mistakenly believe the result of praying blessing for our leadership will cause us to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. But those very prayers are extending the life of the wicked causing us just the opposite. We assume by tradition we are to pray for leaders who have specifically chosen to go against God. Priestly prayers for the wicked extend the life of the wicked and make us an enemy of Christ because we enable evil! The first thing we must do is ask God to open our eyes so we can see as He sees! Because, like Ezekiel said, we have extended the life of the wicked and have shortened the life of the righteous. It has all happened because of our tradition. When we change the tradition, we will change the results.