“I’ve been wanting to ask you, who should I vote for this November?” the young man in the men’s group wanted to know.

“I can’t tell you and I wouldn’t, but here is what I am doing,” I said. “First I am grateful that the election isn’t today. There’s time to evaluate, but mostly to pray. Second, I am praying every day according to the instructions the apostle Paul gave Timothy.”

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:1-5)

I know what is God’s will for me today. I am to pray for our leaders, and for our country. I must believe that as I do, God will give me wisdom for decisions when the time comes to make them.

There are several important insights that jump out of this text. The first is that God wants to partner with us in the affairs of societal life. We do have responsibility in that realm and it starts with praying. The second is that God delights in our living a quiet and peaceful life. Some have insisted that things must necessarily get worse so that Jesus can come again and rescue some. They are giddily expecting the worst with an eye to escape. Actually, God would rather have people living in peace than in turmoil. Someone who believes it’s better for things to deteriorate fast, would find it difficult to pray wholeheartedly for kings and leaders to eliminate problems like corruption and injustice.

The most obvious insight in this text, however, is the connection between leading a quiet and peaceful life and the propagation of the gospel. It isn’t just that God wants us to live the good life. He wants the gospel to spread to all people. Societies so corrupted that they forbid the spread of the gospel rob millions of the privilege of hearing the story that changes everything. Of course we know that no walls or edicts can stop the persistent trickle of the gospel from getting through. History is replete with evidence of God’s word flowing into restricted places regardless of governmental regulations. But God wants the spread of the good news to flow like a river, not like a trickle.

But we’re in danger of missing the point. A peaceful and quiet life isn’t an end in itself. God graciously allows it for a purpose.

We are living in the waning stages of a nation that for years enjoyed the fruit of a Judeo-Christian ethic, which came from a biblical worldview. It produced a good life where progress, comfort, and convenience were not only possible, but also attainable. But in recent decades knowledge of the gospel, and adherence to it, has been assumed rather than prioritized. As a result there is not enough salt (see Matt. 5:13-16) to affect the direction of the country.

Quiet and peaceable living cannot long be sustained where the gospel is not central to a society’s beliefs. Laws and regulations cannot eradicate the selfishness in the heart of fearful humans. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ, human relationships become so toxic that tyrants or complex central governments have to step in, and freedom is forfeited — even religious freedom. We cannot expect our leaders to keep the peace and enable life to flourish if the gospel is not transforming enough people to salt the society. Our prayers for peace and quiet must be connected to the greater purpose of exalting the Savior. Otherwise they become the futile wishes of the foolish.

When we pray we are joining God in accomplishing what is most dear to his heart. Exalting the Son is His purpose and passion. When the Son is lifted up for wandering ones to see, they are changed by his love. As changed people, people who love others, they help build structures that benefit everyone in the culture. When we pray for our leaders we exercise the great privilege of working with God to accomplish his grand purpose. Let’s pray that way.