Pray For All People

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings, and all who are in authority so that we can life peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our savior, who wants everyone to be saved and know the truth.

- 1 Timothy:1-4 -

I have to admit I am not good at following the commands of this scripture.  Don't get me wrong.  I pray for many people and I love to intercede on their behalf.  It is an honor and a privilege to pray for friends and people who are requesting prayer.  Even adding a few prayers for people who don't ask is often fun.  I run into trouble when it comes to praying for people outside of my circle of family and friends or acquaintances who ask for specifics.  I don't regularly pray for our leaders and governments.  Especially in the state that our country seems to be in, it is crucial that I find time to pray, and don't get me started with what happens in other countries.  Often there is so much right in my own circle to pray for that I forget about the rest of the world.  But Jesus didn't die for me to share the Good News with only those people I know.  He didn't come to save my community or my family, He came to save the world.  

Praying for leaders even when we don't always agree with what they do or how they lead is crucial today.  Back when Paul urged the people to pray for all people and governments they were, in fact, dealing with one of the harshest leaders of their time.  Persecution for the Christians was an ever growing threat.  But Paul knew that in order to get the Good News spread throughout the world they needed a government and its society that was conducive to doing so.  One may think that some governments are too ignorant for one person to change, but through the power of prayer, the possibilities are endless!  

So today I wish to pray for all people, everywhere!  The message version states to pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Today I challenge us all to list new prayer requests.  To step outside of our circle and pray for the world and its leaders and governments.  Prayer is powerful and it absolutely changes things!  

Dear God, thank You for giving me this task of praying.  It is an honor to lift up my friends and people's requests.  I love to intercede for others and carry them and their burdens to you every day.  I am sorry that I haven't been faithful to praying for governments and leaders of this world.  I am sorry that my prayers don't get outside of my little circle.  Today and the days to come show me more.  Bring to my attention the bigger picture and some new prayer requests.  Show me how you want me to pray and hear my heartfelt  honest prayers for your people.  In Jesus' Name.....Amen