Pray for Their Salvation
Read the Text: 1 Timothy 2
Memorize the Text:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Great power exists in prayer. When the people of the Lord seek their Father in prayer, they communicate strategically with God. This communication opens up the avenue to intercede on behalf of others, to seek the Lord to help navigate life, to request the Lord’s working in leaders, to pray for the salvation of others, and many other topics. The apostle Paul called on the early church to pray for one another, the leaders and authorities of their day, and for the ultimate salvation of people because that was the desire of the Lord. Paul’s charge to Timothy extends to us today.
PRAY FOR OTHERS
The apostle told Timothy that his prayer life needed to include a focus on all people. This charge meant that Paul expected Timothy to pray for those who were redeemed and those who needed redemption. The desire to pray for others needed to occur because of Timothy’s love for God and others. These avenues of love would ignite a desire to pray because of wanting to practice obedience to the Lord and for the eternity of others. The prayer for others included petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving.
Petitions – The act of coming before the Lord on behalf of others with urgency because of a need.
Intercessions – The act of speaking on someone’s behalf before the Lord. This may not carry the same urgency as a petition.
Prayers – Prayer is the general act of seeking the Lord for others. This indicates that praying for others is a normative part of one’s spiritual journey.
Thanksgivings – The act of giving gratitude to the Lord for his goodness, grace, and work in our lives and the lives of others.
As you think about your prayer life, are you praying for others in obedience? Are you making petitions, intercessions, prayers, and thanksgiving for all people before the Lord? Take a moment today and communicate with the Lord in prayer concerning these areas on behalf of someone else.
PRAY FOR LEADERS AND AUTHORITIES
Paul told Timothy that praying for leaders and authorities was good and that it pleased the Lord. The command to lift these individuals up did not end with Timothy. Still, this truth and principle extended throughout the generations and remains a calling on the lives of believers today. Believers are to pray for their leaders and understand that such a prayer opens up the opportunity for the lives of the leaders to be changed and transformed by the Lord. Here are a few areas to consider praying for:
Salvation – Pray that the leaders and authorities would know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Wisdom – Pray for leaders and authorities to have wisdom in their leadership.
Faithfulness – Pray for leaders and authorities to remain faithful to the Lord.
Discernment – Pray for leaders and authorities to practice discernment.
As you think about your prayer life concerning the authorities, do you lift them up in prayer? Do you spend more time criticizing or praying for them? Today, pray for local, state, and federal leaders.
PRAY FOR THEIR SALVATION
Paul’s ultimate desire centered on the salvation of others. He wanted those who did not know Jesus as Lord and Savior to hear the gospel and respond to the grace and mercy of the Lord. The desire for the salvation of others needs to motivate our prayer life as well. When we pray for the salvation of others, we need to ask the Lord to:
· Reveal their sin to them
· Allow them to hear the gospel
· Lead them to repent and respond
· Call them to himself
When was the last time you prayed for the salvation of others? The power of prayer is a great beginning to impact the world with the gospel. Take time today to speak to the Lord concerning a person you desire to see redeemed.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
