September 21, 2025 Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Dear Friends in Christ,
Were you aware that in the United States there is Museum of Peace and Quiet? I looked it up this week and it said, “Closed until further notice. Thank you for your patience.” How ironic is that? I saw a picture of the museum, but I have no idea in what city it is located. Museum of Peace and Quiet closed until further notice.
Those are two words we often put together – peace and quiet. Maybe you said to a group of people, “Can I get a little peace and quiet around here?” Or you tell your spouse, “What a stressful day, I can use some peace and quiet.” What are we requesting? Distance. Non-disturbance. Relaxation. Calm.
Like the disciples on the Transfiguration mountain, we can’t stay in a state of peace and quiet. We have to face the world. We have to go to our job. We have to bathe the children. Peace and quiet is transitory at best. Jesus knew this quite well. Surrounded by crowds, but needing space at times. He relished peace and quiet. What did Jesus usually do with His peace and quiet? He prayed. He found calmness in a posture of prayer. Today St. Paul leads Timothy to the same thing . . .
“QUIET TIME IN CHRIST BRINGS PEACE”
The text begins, “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 a knowledge of the truth.” (v. 1-4).
Our hands make supplication for everyone. A “supplication” is a humble and earnest entreaty on behalf of someone else based on thoughtful awareness of another’s need. Hands that pray for others. Hands that pray for those who have authority. We pray with thanks for everyone. People, even problem people, fit somewhere in God’s plan for our lives. To give thanks for everyone then is to trust that everyone in my life somehow fits into God’s greater plan for His life and mine.
Paul even here includes “kings.” Paul was a citizen of Rome. Historically Paul is asking the church to pray for Nero, a notorious emperor of the Roman empire. We are taught that governing authorities are instituted by God and put in place by God. We then honor and respect and pray for them. When we pray for a stable civil government, it allows us as Christians to carry out our vocations unhindered and without harassment. The uncommon peace and prosperity of the Roman Empire, the so-called Pax Romana, opened many doors for Paul to carry out his ministry throughout the Mediterranean world.
God desires that all people be saved. Peace and quiet can occur when we are praying for each other. Prayer changes the way we look at one another. In Christ Jesus we are no longer content to remain at odds with someone we have just prayed for. Now we want them to have the best – Christ Jesus.
Prayer changes the way we think about the world and our place in it. In Christ the universe is not some hopeless place. It is God’s world, He has and still does great things in it. Prayer transforms the heart into a peaceful, quiet place that wants everyone to know the peace and quiet God’s love brings in Christ Jesus.
Our text reminds us of this, “There is one God, one mediator between God and man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” (v. 5-6a). So many miss this teaching of God’s Word. Christ is the only Mediator, Atoning Sacrifice, High Priest, Intercessor. We do not call on saints for help. We pray to Jesus, the Savior from sin and death.
In the peace and quiet of Christ we are given opportunity for personal witness. We join our prayer with the prayer of our brothers and sisters around the cross and altar that one day all people may be saved and “come to a knowledge of the truth.”
I’ve shared this before, but it is worth repeating today. I had one grandpa living when I was born, and he died two year later. One of my grandma’s re-married my senior year of high school. I had a grandpa – Grandpa Dan. He taught me how to hit my seven iron around the green and to kick my ball to the fairway if under a tree. He was a faithful Christian man. He lived past one hundred, but was ready to go long before then. He would question me about this. I reminded him God had plans for him. On his 100th birthday his son got up with a similar story and told him, “Dad, you can be praying for all of us.” I’m sure he did. In peace and quiet times, he went to the Lord in prayer for his family. The gathering that day was a room full of Christian believers. Grandpa Dan’s prayers have helped us to stay that way. Quiet time in Christ Brings Peace.
Amen.