Together in Christ: 'Pray for Them!' — 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

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I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
— 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT

Key Thought

Notice this key introductory sentence in our reading today:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

Notice that Paul didn't tell Timothy only to pray for good people, Christians, godly people, or supportive leaders. Paul knew what it was to face difficult, unfair, vicious, and hostile authorities who abused and mistreated him. [1] Even after all that he had endured, Paul told Timothy to pray for ALL people. He especially emphasized praying for leaders and those in authority so that EVERYONE could live a peaceful life. Paul didn't limit Timothy's prayers of thanksgiving and intercession to the good rulers. Timothy's prayers were not easy prayers only for authorities with whom Timothy agreed or for people of faith. The old apostle wanted Timothy to pray for ALL people. Every person on the earth needs the opportunity to learn about Jesus and live a peaceful life of godliness and dignity. So, we need to pray for peace to have opportunities to share God's grace with all people.

In our politically and ethnically fragmented world, our prayers can focus on defeating evil rulers and protecting vulnerable, godly citizens. While there is a time for us to pray for the deliverance for those oppressed and for stopping those who are evil, [2] we also must remember that Jesus taught us to pray for enemies, even those adversaries who persecute us. [3] Jesus came to save every person in the world, not condemn any of them. [4] Jesus has now sent us into the world to serve the lost and broken and lead them to follow Jesus. [5] God wants all people to come to repentance and find their way home to Him, [6] and our prayers are vital in helping our effective world outreach to happen successfully. So, as we pray, let's balance our prayers with generous grace and cries for justice, begging for mercy, and declarations of Jesus' ultimate triumph over all evil. Because Paul told Timothy to be gracious in his prayers, we can pray graciously and thankfully for our rulers whether we like them, agree with them, or fear them. Why?

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
[1] 2 Corinthians 9:21-33; Philippians 1:18-26.
[2] Acts 4:23-31; also see the whole book of Revelation.
[3] Matthew 5:43-44.
[4] John 3:16-17.
[5] Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.
[7] Acts 17:29-30, 26:19-23; 2 Peter 3:8-9.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God and loving Father, I know You yearn for all lost people to find their way home to You. Mold our hearts to be more like Your heart that loves everyone and doesn't want a single one to perish. Empower us as we seek to live out Your great commission in our world. Soften my heart to intercede for my leaders, especially those with whom I can't entirely agree. I need the Spirit's help to do this wisely, so please help me, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 5:43-48; 1 John 2:1-2
  • Acts 4:23-31; 2 Corinthians 9:21-33

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT — I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.