Listen

First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity. This is right and it pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Think

Who makes your prayer list? Do you pray for friends, family members, people you’ve learned about who have specific needs? My guess is that representatives from all of these groups make your list. In today’s verses we are called to more — to pray for all people, to pray for leaders and those in authority.

Hmm… “all people” means folks who don’t look like you, talk like you, worship like you, or love like you. All means all. Praying for leaders and authorities calls us to lift up those on the other side of the political divide, those of totally different ideologies.

I’ve had a daily prayer list for some time. It has grown to include pages of names. I’ve found it quite moving to review my list over time and acknowledge how God has worked in the lives of the names I read. Look around you today. Think about people beyond your daily circle. Whom could you pray for? How should your prayer list change to include all people?

Bill Ogletree

Pray

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Let me include all people in my prayers as I seek godliness and holiness in this world. Amen.

(Adapted from Psalm 19:14)

Go

What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.

James 3:17

Leave this time sharing God’s wisdom today.