Pray For All Men – 1 Timothy 2
‘I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;’ — 1 Timothy 2:1
And the most important thing is….? How would you answer that question when it comes to the church? For Paul the Apostle, in his letter to Timothy, it was prayer. The first thing he exhorted them to do was pray for all men.
This included kings and all that are in authority (v.2). As they prayed and as authority figures feared God, they would be able to lead quiet and peaceable lives in godliness and honesty.
Prayer for all men is something that is ‘good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour’ because He wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (v.3-4).
The truth is that there is only one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (v.5). He gave himself a ransom for all and was testified at the appropriate time (v.6). This is why Paul was preaching the gospel and why he encouraged men to pray everywhere (v.7-8).
Questions for Reflection:
- Are we placing a priority on prayer?
- Are we praying for all men?
- Are we praying for those in authority?
- Do we pray for all men to be saved?
- Do we pray with holy hands, hearts, and lives?
- Men, are you leading in prayer?