“First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”1 Timothy 2:1-2 AMP
Paul is urging Timothy to pray
Petitions: specific requests
Prayers: talking to God
Intercession: prayer for others
Thanksgiving: for everything
To be offered on behalf of all people: Kings and all who are in positions of high authority
My prayers are not only supposed to be about me.
They are also on behalf of all people – the people I like and the people I don’t like. All means all. As believers we have a responsibility to petition specific requests. If we are not aware of what’s going on around us, we won’t know what “the specifics” are all about. We need to know. God wants us to know so that we can have focused prayer.
Intercession helps us know who God wants us to pray for. We need to hear from heaven to pray for the particular issues. We have a responsibility to get away and spend quality time with Jesus so we can be an effective prayer person in interceding for others.
Thanksgiving comes once we’ve spoken, received His peace and then rested in quietness. We know God hears us and is with us when we join Him and heaven on behalf of earth. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord. We Honor You, King Jesus. We know You can change our nation and our neighborhood. So, we pray.
Pray weekly and daily. It’s a must! We can’t stop praying. The reason the world is in this present condition is because some of us have stopped praying. We need to pray for those who are in positions of high authority. God is asking us—the church—to pray for them. We need to pray so they will leaders will be influenced in how they govern our neighborhoods, cities, counties, states and the nation. Church, pray! I urge you to pray! Get connected and pray! This next season we will be gathering to pray in different parts of the city.
It’s not an “event” – it’s prayer. This has to be our lifestyle.
Petitions – Intercession – Thanksgiving offered on behalf of all people.
God bless you and may you continue to walk by faith and not by sight.