February 4
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence,” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
For whom should we pray? This question gets our attention in this fourth devotion in our series on the subject of prayer. Naturally, we will pray for ourselves, as the tax collector did in the temple, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Luke 18:13, or as the leper pleaded with Jesus, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean,” Matthew 8:2. Jacob wrestled with God in prayer and said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me,” Genesis 32:26. However, we should not think only of ourselves. We should pray for all people.
We should pray for the physical and spiritual needs of all others. Pray for the sick and the suffering. Ask for God’s blessing upon the work of faithful doctors and nurses. Pray for the unemployed. Intercede for those who are having financial or family difficulties. Thank God for answering your prayers on behalf of others.
Special mention is made that we should pray for people who are in the positions of government. Many are inclined only to criticize and condemn what people in government are doing. And, indeed, there is much corruption in government on every level! But a nation on its knees will accomplish more than those who are running around stirring up trouble. The Lord says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14. Pray that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in our nation.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44. Pray for your enemies and for those who mistreat you and make life miserable for you. Remember the prayer of Jesus while hanging on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” Luke 23:34.
Is there anyone for whom we should not pray? Yes – we should not pray for the souls of the dead. The souls of the dead are either in heaven or hell. God’s Word does not speak of any other place for the souls of the departed, such as purgatory, which is a place dreamed up by men. Pray for people while they are living. After they are dead, it’s too late! Your prayer will change nothing!
For an answer to all our proper prayers on behalf of others, we turn to our loving and forgiving God for Jesus’ sake.
Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows, The sympathizing tear. Amen.