"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity."

I Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT)

I like this passage because it isn't really ambiguous. It is a direct call to action: Pray for our (kings) leaders and all who are in authority.

How are we to pray for our leaders? Lift them up (intercede) and give thanks for them.

What's the possible outcome of these prayers? We, the people, can live peaceful and quiet lives.

But there's always a catch isn't there? As a voting people in the United States, we select our leaders. We elect our Presidents. Despite your political affiliation, your party preference, or your left/right leanings, this passage challenges us to pray for those leaders who guide and direct our nation. We might not agree with their foreign policy, but we'd better pray for peace. We might not like their choice for the Supreme Court, their latest news conference or press release, but we'd best give thanks for them anyway.

As of this writing, there are six United States presidents who are still living: Our current commander in chief, Joseph Biden, our most recent president, Donald Trump and several who went before. These include Barak Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Each of these men made an impact on the country in which we live, for good or bad. Each of them continue to contribute to the political discourse in our nation, and they continue to deserve our intercession and prayers.

On this Presidents' Day, Timothy reminds us that this call to action remains as true in the 21st century as it did in the first. May our prayers be a sweet aroma to our God, bringing with them peaceful, quiet lives to us all. Amen.