First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Pray for Everyone
Good Day Family,
Pray for everyone. That’s the title for the passage that the above text begins. But, if you read the entire passage, you will quickly notice a shift for prayer to the work of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that one of the primary ways that we participate in the kindom of God is through prayer. Prayer is how we communicate with God and hear from God. Prayer highlights the concerns of our heart and helps us discern the paths we should take. Prayer is deeply personal and yet also rooted in community.
When we pray, we find ourselves reorienting our perspective. We put the circumstances and situations of our lives in light of the Creator of our lives. There is no substitute for prayer. Now, sometimes, we pray with our hands and feet, but that only activates when we also pray with our mind, heart, and soul.
Prayer reminds us that there is a God who hears, who sees, who knows, who cares, and who
responds. When the answer is no, we drawn into deeper trust. When the answer is yes, we celebrate. When the answer is wait, we practice patience and strengthen endurance. When the answer is unclear, we’re reminded of the vastness of the Holy One and the limitations of our knowledge and understanding.
Prayer changes situations, but most importantly, prayer changes us. So, when Paul encourages
Timothy—and us—to pray for all people, that’s a mutually beneficial activity. Because praying for others puts our relationships with them in perspective. We don’t pray to each other. We aren’t called to be the answer or solution to everyone’s concern or to expect anyone to have all the answers. That’s God’s job and the Lord is able to handle it. When we pray for others, we recognize that we can’t do it alone. We’re in this life together, and we should turn God even in our understanding of our relationships with one another.
Praying for everyone,
Be well,
Pastor Cheryl
We are the church and as we gather, in whatever form that may be, to worship, fellowship and serve, the church is alive and well.
Let us encourage one another. Remain safe and check in on one another. We will get through this, and when we do…and look back on the other side…we will be stronger, more grateful, and more connected than ever.
Comments