“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 live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”
1 Timothy 2:1-8 NLT
Paul was a persecuted man. It would’ve made complete earthly sense for him to be come a vindictive one as well. Instead Paul states that his desire is that God would care for, and intercede on behalf of all people. Including his enemies. He wanted thanks given to God for them. This is a revolutionary teaching. It was then and it is now. Too many Christians spend time in prayer that is about someone rather than for someone. Rather than give God thanks and adoration, they spend time in angst and wonder at ways in which God can help them right the wrongs they have suffered. They pray out of indignance and spite rather than in spite of their wrong treatment. It is our responsibility to speak better of others. God knows all things. We need not mock God by pretending that his creation’s secret evils are somehow secret to him. We can be sure that justice will come one day. When we pray, we ought tot ale the opportunity to model the intercession of Christ who forgave his enemies and made his dying breaths an act of atonement on their behalf. Let us love all people and not simply the ones of whom it is easy.
JOSH McGARY.COM 