Praying for Others

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Prayer is a supernatural tool for developing a genuine compassion and burden for the needs of others. We are admonished to pray for all sorts of people -local, state, and national leaders (1 Tim. 2:2); the universal body of Christ, especially those under persecution (Eph. 6:18-20); laborers in God’s harvest fields (Matt. 9:38); our personal enemies (Matt. 5:44); all men - believers and unbelievers alike (1 Tim. 2:1). That is quite a list, isn’t it? If we are honest, most of our time spent in prayer is for personal requirements - sprinkled in with a pinch of worship and a neighborly request or two for others for good measure.

Laboring in prayer for the welfare of those mentioned just does not come naturally, does it? That is why - when we begin earnestly and systematically to intercede for others - we find a strange release from our selfish bent. Less time is spent on ourselves, but we spend significantly more time praying for the needs of others. In so doing, prayer becomes the spiritual scalpel that lifts off the stifling layers of self-preoccupation. We are freed to heed Jesus’ great command: “Love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

“I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers.” Philemon 1:4