February 14
“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.
In yesterday’s devotion, we considered why and how we should pray. Today, we will consider three questions: For whom, where, and when should we pray?
For whom should we pray? Obviously, we will pray for ourselves, for our own bodily and spiritual needs. However, when we pray, it should not just center around “I, me, and mine!” In the Scripture quoted above, we are urged to pray for all people. Everyone needs our prayers. However, a specific request is made to pray for people who are serving in government positions. Yes, pray that God would touch the hearts and consciences of people in government so that they will properly rule and govern the people to whom they are responsible. When we consider all of the lying and the deceiving that is being done today by people in government, it should move us to pray all the more! We should pray so that, “We may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Remember what God said through the author of the Book of Chronicles: “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.
We are also instructed to pray for our enemies. 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. When you pray for your enemies and for people who hate you and seek to harm you, then a change has already taken place in your own heart and soul!
There is one group for whom we should not pray – the souls of people who have died. Their souls are either in heaven, if they died as a Christian, or in hell, if they died as an unbeliever, and your prayers will not change anything. Souls that died are either in heaven or hell. There is no other place. Scripture speaks very clearly: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27.
Where is the proper place to pray? You can pray privately or publicly. The apostle Paul wrote, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting,” 1 Timothy 2:8. The psalmist wrote, “In the congregations I will bless the Lord,” Psalm 26:12. That is praying in public. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly,” Matthew 6:6. That is praying in private. Thereafter, Jesus tells us not to use useless repeating in our prayers – that is, saying the same words over and over. He says, “When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words,” Matthew 6:7.
When should we pray? We should pray at all times, especially in the time of trouble. In the Bible, we are told, “Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We should always have a prayerful spirit. God says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me,” Psalm 50:15. Pray and give God thanks!
We pray: Dear heavenly Father, by Your Holy Spirit through the Gospel, strengthen our faith in Your forgiveness through Jesus our only Savior, and move us to speak to You in prayer frequently and faithfully. Hear and answer our prayers according to Your good and gracious will. We place all our prayers before Your throne of amazing grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.