How then shall we pray?

"First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are high in positions, that we may lead quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim 2:1-2)

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." (1 Tim 2:8)

Do the above texts teach that we are not to get angry with our leaders but to continue to pray for them no matter how unjust and corrupt they are? That we ought to continue to pray that they will change and govern fairly and justly even when evidences suggest that they will not and cannot be changed?

I'm sure Christians in Malaysia has been praying for its leaders for many many years. We had prayer rallies every Merdeka day to pray specifically for our nation and its leaders. The standard prayer has been that God will grant our leaders the wisdom to govern. This I think is being consistent with the above text.

However, what happens when what we see and experienced is further misgovernance, corruption and oppression? Shall we continue to beg God to change the hearts of our leaders? Must we always obey the authorities since they are instituted/established by God (Romans 13)? Can we not pray for the removal of these corrupted and self-serving leaders? Can we not pray of the dismantling for institutions that oppress the common people?

I think it has been Paul's primary goal to see the spread of the gospel (1 Tim 2:4). So, I wouldn't think he will ask the Christians openly to pray for the removal of the Roman Empire despite its corruption. More so, in the early years, the Roman authorities seem to be ambivalent towards Christianity. Paul would not have wanted to invite the wrath of the Roman Empire which will cause the spread of the gospel to be impeded.

I also think 1 Tim 2:1-2 and 1 Tim 2:8 shouldn't be read together to mean that we should never be angry with those in authority, otherwise it will be difficult to pray for them. The phrase 'pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarelling' (ESV) perhaps envisage the reverse situation in Matt 5:23-24. We shouldn't be angry or have a quarrel/dispute with someone (in particular our Christian brothers/sisters) when we pray. It is something personal between me and that person. It has nothing to do with being angry with injustices that we see being perpetrated by those in authority.

Francis Schaeffer says, "God has ordained the state as a delegated authority; it is not autonomous. The state is an agent of justice, to restrain evil by punishing the wrongdoer, and protect the good of soceity. When it does the reverse, it has no proper authority. It is than a usurped authority and as such it becomes lawless and is a tyranny."(emphasis, author) (A Christian Manifesto). He went on to say that at certain point there is not a right, but the duty, to disobey the state.

If we are not angry when we see injustices, then I think we haven't fully grasped the character of God as revealed to us in the Scriptures. So I believe it is absolutely legitimate to be angry with tyranny and pray for its removal. Malaysia is descending into lawlessness and tyranny unless there is divine intervention.

After reading Zaid Ibrahim's plea to the King this afternoon, I think I know how to pray. I will pray for the King to be given the wisdom and courage in making the appointment of the next PM. This power is vested in him by our Constitution. May God guide him to exercise this power for the sake of the people in Malaysia without fear or favour.

Zaid ended his speech by saying this and I quote.

"I am fighting the temptation to give up for one simple reason: Malaysia and all it represents. This is a blessed country, a country too valuable for us to turn our backs on."

Amen. Let us pray.

(Updated/Note: This post came about after reading a comment made by someone who teaches NT in a seminary, "that we should remain calm as Paul says "We pray for kings and those in authority without anger or clamouring (1 Tim 2) (Note that prayer for the king etc and anger is separated by 6 verses, yet in his comment it's taken together) and if we are angry with our leaders then it's hard to pray for them." This was made in response to my litany of complaints against the present regime in his blog. I'm not providing a link to his blog as I've no permission to do so and so far he has not responded to my counter response)