Praying for others

I Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Some basic questions about prayer:  How often do you pray?  If you do pray, for whom do you pray?  How much of your prayer time is focused on others compared to your own needs (and yes, admit it, often times your wants)?  If you do focus on others what and how do you pray for them?   Do you pray for people you don’t know?  Do you pray for those in authority over you?

You are to pray for all people, asking God to help them, intercede on their behalf, give thanks for them.  Now, this does not mean all people that you know, you could never do anything else.  The word “all” more likely means that you pray for all kinds of people--men, women, children, family, neighbors, friends, those who persecute you, co-workers, superiors, subordinates, peers--anyone brought to your attention who you know need your prayers.  Do Christian people do enough of this?  I don’t know, but likely not.  Most of our praying is for ourselves and, secondly, for our loved ones, but how much time and effort do you spend praying for others, especially for those in authority?  Kings and figures of authority include not only the President, but also his staff, cabinet, members of Congress, state and local leaders, church leaders, teachers, and parents. 

Paul urged Timothy as his number one priority to pray for everyone although everyone mostly means those in authority.  Paul list four nouns that we interpret all as part of prayer

1.   Requests (deēsis)--need, want, a seeking, asking, entreaty to God or to man.  Prayer involves requests of and from each of us.  However, this type of prayer can be answered/addressed either by God or by other people.  Prayers for help with basic human needs (food, money, shelter, encouragement, etc) can be met by other people. 

2.   Prayers (proseuchē)-- prayer addressed to God; a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer.  This type of prayer that only God alone can meet.  Prayers for healing, wisdom to make right decisions, salvation, etc can only be met by God.    

3.   Intercession (enteuxis)—a coming together, petition, meeting with.  These are corporate prayers, e.g. praying in the church where a need is prayed about before the entire congregation. 

4.   Thanksgiving (eucharistia)—giving of thanks.  Prayers of thanksgiving involve not only words but also songs.  The singing of hymns in the church or even by yourself are expressions of thanksgiving. 

When Paul wrote to Timothy, was the Roman Emperor at the time?  Well, there is conjecture exactly when the letter was written, but most scholars think that it was written during Paul’s final years on earth, circa 62-67 AD.  The emperor during those years?  Nero!  Perhaps the greatest persecutor of Christians of all the Roman emperors.  Yet Paul urged Timothy to pray for kings and those in authority.

Why pray for kings and those in authority even if they are evil?  Praying for them may lead to a “quiet and peaceable life…..”.  Is it possible that a main reason why there seems to be so much violence in America and throughout the world is because so few people are praying for their leaders, for those in authority over them?  Praying for those in authority enables you to become “………godly and holy in every way”.  The word “godly” in the Greek “eusebeia” that means to be intimately related to God.  When you pray for others you become closer to God and better see realities from His point of view.  The word “holy” in the Greek “semnotes” can be translated as respectful or courteous. 

Another promise when you pray for others is that this pleases God our Savior.  Our Savior God wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Your prayers for others helps to activate the work of the Holy Spirit in others’ lives.  While God desires that all people are saved, the word “all” really refers to people of all social classes, nationalities, races, and backgrounds, not all people regardless of what they do with their lives.

As a result of study, meditation, and reflection, may your prayer life be magnified by taking more time and making more effort to do what Paul urged Timothy to do with his prayer life.   

“If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer.”--Richard Foster, Prayer, p. 191