Why We Must Pray for all People

Daily Devotional – September 1, 2022
Therefore, I exhort first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.
1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)

It is possible to be selfish in prayer. It is natural to make personal needs a priority. Our families and close friends come next. If time allows, we lump together our neighbours, the sick, the hungry, widows, orphans, and any other issues we can remember.

Apostle Paul, though, emphasized the need to include more people in our prayers. Writing to Timothy, Paul said, “Therefore, I exhort first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1).

For Kings and Those in Authority

e should reserve a portion of our prayer time for bringing the petitions of other people before God. Christians should intercede for all people, including those they do not know well and those they have never met.

Paul also urges Christians to offer prayers, “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (verse 2). Our earthly welfare is in the hands of leaders who are not necessarily Christians, hence the need to pray for them.

This is Good and Acceptable in the Sight of God

Why should we pray for all people, especially unbelievers, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (verses 3-4).

Our prayers on behalf of others are powerful tools for God’s intervention in the lives of those we pray for and in our lives. While we need to pray for our loved ones and ourselves, we must remember that God loves intercessory prayers.

For the next seven days, pray for a person who has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Ask God to intervene and reveal Himself to that person.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, always remind me to pray for other people.