By Chelsea Pollard
Have you ever gotten frustrated trying to get ahold of someone when you’re in need? Maybe it was someone in authority or someone who was meant to help fix a problem. Or you tried to reach your boss but there was no direct line. Or something broke in your house and you had a hard time reaching someone to come fix it. We have a direct line to God and we know that, but do we pray only when we are in need?
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
THE PRAYERS
In this passage, there are four different kinds of prayers that God wants us to pray. A supplication is an urgent request to meet a need exclusively addressed to God. These are the times we need mercy, forgiveness, help, etc. A prayer is any petition addressed to God, the generic act of prayer. These are the times we are just talking to God. An intercession is formally asking God to intervene. Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude.
THE RESULTS
Paul urges us to pray these prayers for all people, for everyone! Specifically, we are to pray for kings and all who are in high position, anyone who has authority over us. This includes our local government, federal government, the president, police officers, our boss, etc. This may be difficult at times, but how often do we think to pray for everyone? It’s easy for me to remember to pray for myself and those I love. It takes mindfulness to pray for everyone. By doing this, “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Doesn’t a peaceful life sound good right about now? Godly and dignified, that’s how I want to be.
THE REASONS
“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” (v. 3). God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth.
How often do you call home or call your parents to tell them you love them, you’re thankful for them, or to ask them for help or guidance? I once heard a preacher say, “Your Father is up in heaven. Have you phoned home?”
Share this:
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 
Thankful for those appropriate ( at all times) thoughts!
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
These areas of prayer can be very difficult at times. I try to remember a saying I saw this last year: “Pray harder when it is the hardest to pray.” The encouragement to do so is always needed!
LikeLike