I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. - 1 Timothy 2:1-7 New International Version (NIV)
In this excerpt from the epistle, we see a list or a progression of spiritual responses to people entrusted with civic leadership. The fourth is thanksgiving.
Following these, there is a very human motive - that our own lives might be peaceful and quiet as we seek to live out godliness and holiness. We are seeking space to become who we are becoming in faith.
Then, there is a deeper motive embedded in the heart of God. God is pleased with this endeavor because God wants two things for people.
First, God wants everyone to be saved.
Second, God wants everyone to know the truth.
Then. we are told that God, in Christ, has personally and actively interceded for this. Christ is the mediator. Mediation is a sort of bodily prayer and it was a prayer to the death followed by a resurrection.
Are we reading that the passion was also a matter of prayer, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving?
Perhaps. This is the witness. This is the testimony the apostle bears and we are called to bear.
As we give thanks for people in power following prayer, petition, and intercession for them, we are participating in a process that may bring benefits that give us space to grow in grace while serving God's purpose to bring masses of humanity to faith and truth.
The progression of motivation begins with duty, leads through self-interest, and culminates in love for God and all humanity, where it must ultimately begin and end.
To pray for others with the heart of God is to pray with love and gratitude.
