UK in transition: Have you prayed for Liz Truss?

What should we make of Liz Truss?

I’m always struck by the apostle Paul’s command in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, where he says God wants us to pray for all kinds of people. He then immediately gives the examples of kings, emperors, and those in authority over us, and draws a connection between prayers for these people and the freedom we enjoy to live quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Recognising our human weakness and tendency to ignore commands, he adds a further reason to this duty: it pleases God who wants all kinds of people to be saved.

What I find striking is that in Paul’s time, this was about praying for the emperor Nero. Think about that for a moment. Nero was, by some distance, one of the most evil emperors in the history of the Roman Empire. Nero is infamous for killing his own mother, two of his wives and maliciously targeting Christians. But Paul still wants God’s people to pray for him!