I complain about politicians constantly and I have never once prayed for one. Where do I start when I do not respect them at all?

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”

Jeremiah writes to exiles deported to Babylon by a regime that had burned their city and taken them from their homes. He tells them to build houses, plant gardens, and pray for the peace of the city holding them, because their own welfare is bound up with its welfare. He is not asking them to approve of Babylon. He is telling them that praying for a place you did not choose is part of living in it.

“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; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Paul tells Timothy that prayers and thanksgivings should be made for kings and for all in authority. The emperor at the time was Nero. Whatever Paul privately thought of Roman rule, he placed intercession for rulers near the top of the list for public worship. The stated aim is a quiet and peaceable life, which is a modest and practical thing to want for everybody in a city.