2 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Do we pray first for those in authority? I tend to pray first for those closest to me. Here Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for all men but specifically leads off with those in authority. Have I missed an opportunity here in influencing my leaders with Godly influence because I failed to pray first for them?

I hope not and I know my God is a forgiving and faithful God but obviously He has asked us to pray so that we might have that abundant life we are promised. Sadly I tend to complain about leadership rather than pray for them. Listed in those instructions is giving thanks. Complaining isn’t giving thanks, so I have failed to be faithful in my prayers.

How much responsibility to we have in this world if we neglect to intercede thru prayer on behalf of all men? We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, but how about our enemy? Aren’t they part of all men? Once again, I fail.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Awe come on, do I have to?

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The law of love says yes.

Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

History has proven this to be true. You do not have to be a believer to see it. Division unfortunately is a product of free will. Even if peace reigned throughout all the earth in loving concern for the wellbeing of the planet, division would still exist.

Division via freewill does not exist because our treaties of the mind but rather the condition of our hearts. Do you love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? Then you are One with God. The other is one with the world. Doing the right thing for the love of the world is still on the other side of a world divided.

Peace on earth does not exist and history tells us that peace among men is illusionary. Every treaty has a side, an agenda, and a reason to keep the peace. Those things change, always have, always will. So if we cannot make a fragile peace, how can we live with hostile world?

Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Let love rule in your heart and leave the rest to God.

2 Corinthians 6:6-10 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

The left and right side of the body is for balance, not division. We are still One.