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 - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
Scripture lets it be known that there is a difficulty in following Christ; it is a hard and costly road. Some have deliberately inflicted themselves with pain and hardship (for the sake of the pain) to sort of 'create' a difficult life and feel good about their discipleship. This is a false discipleship, much like the individual who lets EVERYONE know they're fasting or giving.
Sometimes I'm tempted to pray for persecution. Or that the whole world would crumble around me so that the followers of Christ would shine like stars. You see the expansion of the Gospel in China (under Communist rule) and Africa (amid insurrections and instability) and you think, "We need the heat turned up." This passage takes us in a different direction.
Paul is not encouraging that Timothy would pray for persecution to get things going, but instead that Timothy would pray that Christians would be able to live a peaceful and godly life. Jesus tells us that we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33), but our prayers are for shalom; a holistic peace that God gives us in Christ. So pray for our leaders, as wells as those we know.
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