The times we live in are not exactly the calmest. I can't remember such violent things happening worldwide as nowadays. Now I won't last for centuries, but still; I've been through quite a bit since WW2.
Paul writes to Timothy something that we can also use in our day.
"I urge above all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a quiet and quiet life, in all godliness and dignity. For that is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth: for there is one God. There is also one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Given Himself as a ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
How easy it is that you – even as a child of God – get caught up in the things that happen around us. Because that's what people are all about: 'back to normal'. To the normal life of peace, safety, security; the life where you can just do your own things. But that pursuit divides people like never before, and what they long for is further away than ever.
Praying for the people, not the circumstances
Some believe that the verses to Timothy mean that we are called to pray in all keys, so that 'God our Saviour' changes circumstances and ensures that we can live a peaceful and quiet life. But the call is not to pray for circumstances, but for people. 'All the people'understandable and even more so'kings and all who are in high places‘.
The result is not that our circumstances become 'calm and still', but prayer produces that inwardly – in our souls – we become a 'live a peaceful and quiet life' so that we may be identified as children of God and followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “For that is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour” reads the sequel. He takes pleasure in our revealing ourselves in this way. Then we are no hindrance to the gospel'of the glory of the blessed God' (1 Timothy 1:11), but our testimony is rather to promote it.
After all, that is also what the sequel is about: the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom. He is the Mediator between God and people and God wants all people to be saved (= saved, saved) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
That's why we're called to this for all to do. This is the most important thing any believer can do: turn the heart to the Lord God to draw near to Him in the spirit with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.
All the people
It is striking that in this short section all people are mentioned twice. We are called to all the people to draw near to God (verse 1). That is quite something; at least more than my current prayer list. No doubt Paul is talking about this all the people because he connects it with God's desire, "He wants all people to be saved” (verse 4). God's offer of grace goes out to all people and He desires that all accept that offer. So great is God's work in Christ: it is great enough for all men. And so would our prayer list all the people should include.
Kings and high places
Separately be called the 'kings and all those in high places'. The decisions these people make are of great importance to society and its citizens, but also to Christians and the advancement of the Gospel. Today we see that worldwide as never before. How easy it is then - also as a Christian - to go along with the worldly division and to choose for or against; just like the world does. But God's Word makes it clear to us here that there is another, a Christian way, namely to pray for these people that they too may come to the knowledge of the truth, of salvation in Christ.
The gospel only finds its way when the believers for all people lift their hearts to God with prayers and thanksgiving.
English 
Nederlands 
Deutsch