Rogation Monday
Posted on May 23, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NKJV)
2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Devotion
Rogate is the 5th Sunday after Easter, and the three days before Ascension are called Rogation days. The words “Rogate” and “Rogation” come from the Latin word rogare, which means “to ask.” Historically, the importance here is that the people were “asking” God to appease His anger because of Christ and give protection from calamities in towns, and especially protect the early summer crops. This would include praying for civil leaders, as we see in our text for today. Notice the language St. Paul is using here—if he can instruct St. Timothy to lead the congregation in prayers for unbelievers and even leaders like Nero, then we too can pray for all our elected officials; even those with whom we disagree politically.
Bumper stickers, decals, hats, and t-shirts that bear the slogan “Pray for our President,” with Bible references to 1 Timothy 2:1-2 or Romans 13:1, are not inappropriate. However, an unfortunate practice has also occurred. Some post a similar slogan, “Pray for Obama,” “Pray for Trump,” and now “Pray for Biden,” but the Bible reference is Psalm 109:8, which says: “Let his days be few, And let another take his office.” This is not praying for the president; it is being provocative. We need to listen to our Heavenly King’s instructions and pray for our earthly leaders, so that we may live peaceable lives together with them.
Prayer: O God, from Whom all good things do come: Grant to us Thy humble servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be right and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Rogationtide
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who in our affliction put our trust in Thy mercy, may ever be defended by Thy protection against all adversity, Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thy Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
