1 Timothy 2:1-4 English Standard Version

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I will admit I pray more often for those I care about than anyone else. I’d call that human. Here we see an instruction to pray for all people, the just and unjust alike.

It is good and pleasing to God that we should do this. Isn’t that reason enough or do we need to be persuaded to obey? Perhaps it would be easier to obey if we were to know just how those prayers could make a difference. If it became apparent how our prayers might lead to peace in this troubled world, it would be worth praying for those we deem unworthy.

That sentiment is exactly why God asks us to pray for everyone. Judge not lest ye be judged. Our judgment of others interferes with God’s will more often that we could possibly know. We tend not to pray for those we deem unworthy. 

At the core of withholding prayer is a feeling of desperate vanity. We do not believe our prayers will do any good. Faithfulness to our God does not require our agreement, only our obedience.

God desires that all mankind could be saved and they could but we know that some will never come to a saving grace knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our problem is that we have no direct knowledge of which ones will surrender. If we did we would only pray for those souls. What value is there in praying only for things we are absolutely sure about? Faith has no part in those kinds of prayers.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.