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, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
I commute a half hour or more to and from my job each day, and I usually pass the time listening to music or podcasts or audiobooks. Sometimes, the morning commute is a good time to pray, and even to worship, if the traffic’s flowing and the drive is easy. A couple of weeks ago, I was praying in the Spirit and listening to a beautiful version of “It is Well” by Bethel Music and Kristene DiMarco. As the chorus played,
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
I began, spontaneously and without forethought, to intercede for a man who this very day may or may not be seated as a justice in the highest court in America. Even though I believe Paul’s advice to Timothy is still good advice today, I don’t pray for leaders as often as I believe I should. But I wasn’t praying because I thought I should. I wasn’t praying because I felt badly about the publicity he and his family were enduring. I wasn’t even praying that he would be confirmed or not be confirmed.
The prayer that rose in me that morning was that he, and we, would remember where our citizenship resides. As much as we love our country and as much as we long for peace in our day-to-day lives, our American citizenship is of a lower order than our citizenship in the household of God. As it was with Abraham, so it is with us,
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)
We are looking for that city, designed and built by God. He is the Lord of all creation, and creation knows His name. His name is Jesus. He still speaks to tempests. And they obey.
Because of that, because of Him, on this stormy Saturday morning in October, I can say with all assurance, “It is well with my soul.”