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.
1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
Paul wrote Timothy a letter and gave the pastor in Ephesus some instructions on how to fulfill his calling.
Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.
Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
1 Timothy 1:18-19 NLT
Of first importance is faith in Christ. Keep the faith. That is what saves us. Not our works, not our accomplishments or pedigree. Only faith in Christ saves. Therefore, walk by faith not by sight. Let the Lord lead. He always knows best.
Next, keep your conscience clear. What does that mean? Flee from sin. Don’t disobey God. Honor the Lord your God in all that you do.
When you sin, confess your sin to God. Agree with God’s standards of loving, moral behavior and repent to righteousness. Don’t make a practice of living a sinful lifestyle. Our actions speak louder than words.
Maintaining our walk of humble obedience with the Lord is our highest priority in this life. If something else takes the place of the Lord in our hearts, we have fallen into idolatry.
Letting false gods rule our life will shipwreck our faith. Course correct immediately and renounce any agreement with the carnal, worldly and demonic forces at work in us and around us. God’s able to break those chains when we identify and discard them as worthless.
Finally, once you’re well established in your own personal walk with God, be concerned about the welfare of others.
How best to do that? Start with prayer. Paul urged Timothy, first of all, to pray for all people. Before any other action, pray for people. Pray for all people. Ask God to help them, before you try to help them.
Intercede on behalf of everyone, and thank the Lord for them, too. This means everyone. Good, bad and indifferent. They’re all created in the image of God. He wants to save all of them. Irregardless of where they are at with Christ, pray for them. That’s the loving thing to do.
Prayer Points
- Pray for everyone.
- Ask God to help them.
- Ask God to save them.
- Ask God to order their steps.
Father in Heaven, awaken Your Church to prayer. Ignite a movement of prayer meetings in homes, online and in church buildings everywhere. Let there be prayer meetings available everyday of the week at all times of the day so that Your people can gather and pray and bring glory to Your Name. Amen.
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.
1 Timothy 2:2-5 NLT
Recommended reading: 1 Timothy 2.
Igniter Ministries 