Pray This Way

A Reflection on the Second Reading for September 22nd, 2019:
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Timothy 2.1-7

Beloved: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and the human race, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; this was attested at the right time.

For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I am telling the truth, I am not lying.

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Once again, in His infinite wisdom, God gives us this scripture passage from Saint Paul’s letter to Timothy in a timely fashion. As we approach a federal election in Canada and all the campaigning that leads up to it, Saint Paul tells us that we should be praying for our leaders.


Elections annoy me. I quickly dismiss the party heads as being self-centered and only out for personal gain. When the smear campaigns begin, I turn off the television. I am not wasting my time with such nonsense. But it is very clear in this passage of scripture that this is not the attitude that God wants me to have. God wants us to pray for our politicians.


How does Saint Paul tell us to pray?


With supplication: the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

With intercession: the action of saying a prayer on behalf of another.

With thanksgiving: the expression of gratitude.


Why are we asked to pray this way? Because God “desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth” (1 Tim 2:4).
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So let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for all the work that our government does to make our country the safe and peaceable place that it is. We are grateful for the time that each politician gives to serve the people of Canada. We pray, Lord God, that through this election You would touch their lives so they would come to know You and rely on You more. We also pray that You would reveal Your will to them so they can lead this country in a Godly and honest way.

We pray this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.


​Maxine Brown

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