In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 we are encouraged to have a specific kind of prayer life. “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, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
When each of us looks at this verse what do we see? I think most of us see the need to pray. We daily try to include our friends, family, fellow Christians, and people in authority in our prayers because we know how important it is, but what are a few other lessons that we can learn from this text?
I want to draw our attention to the phrase, “all people”. There are people in this world that we have never met. Some live in other countries and some live just down the street. They are in need of our prayers. Then there are people that we have met but we do not get along with very well. Yes, even our enemies are in need of our prayers. Then there are the people that we thought were doing ok and we sometimes just forget. This list oftentimes includes our family, friends, and fellow Christians. Let us not make the assumption that just because we do not see something bad happening in somebody’s life that they do not need our prayers. If we look back at verse one, we are told to offer up “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people”. We see within this that we are to pray for specific things that are happening in the lives of people and that those prayers are to be for good and bad circumstances that people may be currently facing. With our prayers, we petition God for so many things: guidance, forgiveness, help, strength, wisdom, endurance, and so much more. But we also use our prayers to lift up praise and glory to the Father and thank Him for all that He has done, is doing, and continues to do every day of our lives. Our prayers not only benefit all lives here and now, but they also have an impact on our eternal destination. God wants “all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth”. Let us offer up prayers today for all people, no matter the circumstances, and let us pray that all people will come to the knowledge of God and His Word, be obedient to Him, and remain faithful all the days of their lives. This is our prayer for all.
Derek Broome