Pray for Peace

Good Morning,

1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness....I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

An article crossed my desk this morning that quoted verses 1 and 2 from 1 Timothy, and then went on to say that we, the United States of America, should not only NOT reduce the instance of possible nuclear war, but should actually INCREASE the reasons that we, this country, ought to have a "first strike" against another country.

I found this puzzling...at least to my mind. If we pray for those in authority so that we, all mankind, might "live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and hliness" then why in the world would one want to have MORE reasons to initiate a nuclear holocost on the world? I surely do not understand this thinking. But then, there is much in the world that I don't understand, I guess.

Timothy tells us that we should pray for our leaders, pray for everyone, for peace, godliness, holiness, and that we should "lift up hly hands in prayer, WITHOUT ANGER OR DISPUTING." This makes sense to me. Praying for peace and a peaceful world makes sense. Praying that the leaders of the world, even our own leaders from the United States...(especially OUR leaders?)...should do all possible to remove as many reasons for unspeakable war as they can. This makes sense. Going the opposite way, finding more reasons to use nuclear weapons, does NOT make sense.

I never thought that these verses of Scripture would be used in a political sense and used in order to say that this country should find more reasons for horrible war. I guess people can interpret Scripture as they see fit in order to more closely align with their political leanings and feelings.

My prayer today is for us ALL to do as Paul asks and raise up our hands in prayer and supplication to God so that we can have a more peaceful and quiet world in which to live. I pray that you will join me.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David