Although I don’t do it often enough, I enjoy cleaning out my drawers and closets. I guess you could say I get “spring fever” every new year. I want a new start.

I’ve wanted to go through the drawers in our bathroom for a while, but have been busy enough that I’ve not gotten to it.

This morning Don started looking for a replacement brush for his Sonicare toothbrush. He pulled almost everything out of one cupboard and started tossing out old brushes, empty boxes, and other items.

Although I’m preparing for a knee replacement surgery and have lots to do before that date (February 4), and a blog post to write today, Don’s start was all the motivation I needed. I, too, found items to toss, give away, or reorganize. While neither of us finished the job today, we began. And sometimes that’s the hardest thing.

New leadership in the US

We also have a new beginning with our country’s leadership. Regardless of political affiliation or feelings about our new President, Christians are told to pray for those in leadership.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”

—I Timothy 2:1-3, ESV

The Apostle Paul didn’t tell Timothy to pray for specific persons or parties to come into power. I don’t think they had much choice back then. But he did urge Timothy, and us, to pray for all who are in positions of power.

Why?

“That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Matthew Henry, a Bible scholar and well-known commentator on scripture, says this:

“The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men.”

This instruction calls us to submit to governing bodies while still upholding Christian values. Some have been convicted in this but have remained firm to biblical values.

Early Christians were often accused of undermining the state because they claimed their Lord was higher than Caesar. And yet, they actually supported the state by being good citizens and praying FOR the emperor rather than TO him.

God ordained government to keep order in society (Romans 13:1-7).

Are there evil governments?

Absolutely. But our prayer is not for special favors, but simply to be allowed to live out our faith, unrestricted by state intervention, so that …

“…we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

As we do this, God’s heart is that all individuals, of any race, gender, or country of origin, will come to a saving knowledge of Christ…the “knowledge of the truth” (v 3).  (Source: Enduring Word)

My prayer

My prayer is that as we enter a new year, remove some of the clutter of the past, and look toward the future, we will obey Christ’s command to pray for those in authority.

What can we pray?

Whatever God puts on our hearts.

Some possibilities:

• That our President and Cabinet Members will be humble before God
• That they will pursue justice
• That our leaders might seek God’s wisdom in their decision-making
• That Christians might be allowed to worship freely under their leadership
• And that we, as Christians, might pray that the light of Christ might shine in the hearts of all men and women as they learn to know the God who loves us so much that He gave His Son to take the penalty for our sins. The Son who rose on the third day, conquering death. And that we might reflect that love through word and deed to those God puts into our paths.

I still have work to do to reorganize and clean out my bathroom cupboards. And maybe each of us needs to think about how we will respond to our new administration.

Will we hate them?

Talk them down every chance we get?

Protest?

Or pray for them?

God be with us as we clear out the cobwebs from last year, whatever they may be, in drawers and cupboards as well as in our hearts, and walk into this year with hope and prayer.