PRAY FOR ALL PEOPLE

1 Timothy 2:1-Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.

Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks: These terms describe the wide categories of our communication with God. These are the kinds of prayers that should be offered when God’s people come together.

Supplication is simply asking for something. Prayer should never be all asking, but it should ask in bold confidence from God’s Word.

Prayers is a broad word referring to all communication with the Lord.

Intercessions refer to the requests we make on behalf of others. As we pray, there should be a time when the needs of others find a place in our prayer before God’s throne.

Giving of thanks is an essential part of our walk with God. Those who lack a basic sense of gratitude in their lives lack a basic Christian virtue.

All men: This tells us whom we are to pray for with these various means of prayer. The idea is that all people need prayer. You have never met someone that you cannot or should not pray for.

Most Christians find it easy to pray for their family, friends, and loved ones, but it should not end there. We should also pray for our enemies and for those with whom we have conflict. We should pray for those who annoy us and for those who seem to be against us. Each of these falls into the category of all men.

To pray for all men also means to pray evangelistically. We should pray for our friends who need to know Jesus, for our coworkers, and for others with whom we have regular contact.

To pray for all men also means to pray for your pastors, pray for your church, and pray for other ministries you know and love.

We can find something to thank God for regarding all men. Even those who persecute us and are against us have a place in the over-arching plan of God.

Prompt: Pray 1 Timothy 2:1. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what the Bible says about prayer through the upcoming days. Ask God to remind you of a few people to pray for today.

Based on the Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.