I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
Who do you pray for? Too often, we pray just for our friends and family. And we focus our prayers on physical issues like health, job, or family problems. But, in this letter, Paul urges us to pray for all people, with all kinds of prayer.
Petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving describe different ways to pray for others. We can pray for their needs, both physical and spiritual. We can intercede for them before the Father. And we can express thanksgiving for what God is doing in their lives. Take advantage of the opportunity God gives us to make a difference in the lives of other people through our prayer.
I cannot pray for everyone in the world by name. But I can pray for all those I know, regardless of how I might feel about them. There should be no one you are unwilling to pray for. Pray especially for the salvation of those who do not know the Lord. Paul goes on to say that this prayer for others pleases God, who wants all people to be saved (1 Tim. 1:3).
In particular, Paul urges us to pray for those in authority over us. For our political leaders as well as those in our workplace. You may disagree with their policies. You may not see anything good in them or what they are doing. But we still have a responsibility to pray for them. Pray that they would have the wisdom to lead us well. That God would touch their hearts and minds. And that their leadership would produce an environment that would allow us to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Never underestimate the power and effectiveness of prayer. God hears the righteous when we pray. And it makes a difference (Jam. 5:13-18).
