Chapter XXI · The Upper Room — J. C. Ryle
— 1 Thess. 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.”—1 Thess. 2:1-2.
THE words which head this page are taken from a passage of Scripture which is eminently suitable to the solemn occasion which gathers us together, the Jubilee of our gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria’s reign. A royal Jubilee is a very rare event in history, and in all human probability this is the only one in England which any of us will ever live to see. Let us lay this seriously to heart in to-day’s service of prayer and praise!
The words of the text occur in the first direction which St. Paul gave, by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to his young friend Timothy about the conduct of public worship. “First of all,” he says emphatically----” first of all, I exhort that 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.”
I might say something about the striking contrast between the elaborate and minute ritual of the Old
- The paper now in the reader’s hands contains file substance of a sermon preached in Liverpool Cathedral, on June 20th, 1887, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, before the Mayor and leading inhabitants of Liverpool.
Testament Church under the ceremonial law, and the remarkable simplicity and brevity of the ritual provided for the Church of the new dispensation. It is a contrast easily explained. The worship of the Old Testament was designed for the Jews alone,—for one single nation practically cut off from the rest of mankind,—and was full of types and emblems of good things to come. The worship of the New Testament was intended for all the world, and as the Thirty-fourth Article of our Church has wisely said—” Ceremonies may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men’s manners.”
One thing, however, is very certain. The rule, or rubric, laid down by St. Paul for the guidance of Timothy at Ephesus, is meant to be a rule of perpetual obligation as long as the world stands, and until the Lord comes. Whenever Christians meet together for public worship, there ought to be “prayers and intercessions for all men,” and specially “for kings,” as well as “thanksgiving for mercies received. This primary rule you are invited to observe this day.
I. Concerning the general duty of praying for others, I think it useful to say something. But my words shall be few.
I suspect the thought crosses some minds---” What is the use of my intercession? What am I but a debtor to Christ’s mercy and grace? How can the prayer of such a poor sinner be of any use to others? Praying for myself I can understand, but not praying for another.”
The answer to all such thoughts is short and simple. It is the command of God, and it is a plain duty to obey it. In this, as in many other matters, it becomes a mortal man to believe that the light of the last day shall make all clear. In the meantime, the “how” and the “why” and the “wherefore” had better be left alone. What we know not now we shall know hereafter. The practice of almost every saint in the Bible, of whom much is recorded, ought to silence all objections. Patriarchs, prophets, kings, and apostles have left us examples of intercession. Do we know more than they did? Do we think they wasted their time when they named others before God? Are we wiser than they?
I have a firm conviction that in this matter God tests our faith and our love. Do we believe that the eternal God is too wise to make any mistake? Then, when He says “Pray for others,” let us not stand still, reasoning and arguing, but do as He tells us. When our Lord Jesus Christ says the best proof of a high standard of love is to “Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44), let us believe and obey. I always thank God that our time-honoured Prayer Book contains such a grand specimen of intercession as the Litany. I believe the last day alone will show how the prayers of God’s elect have affected the history of this world, and influenced the rise and fall of nations. There was deep truth in the saying of unhappy Mary Queen of Scots—” I fear the prayers of John Knox more than an army of 20,000 men.” So, when we kneel to pray for ourselves, let us never forget to pray for others.
II. Concerning the special duty of praying for kings and all that are in authority, I must not omit to say something. But once again my words shall be few.