[I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving]… be made for all people…
Summary: Paul’s instruction on prayer includes praying for “all people.” At first blush, this might seem counter-intuitive. However, if we remember our place in the universe, this command starts to make sense.
What, exactly, does Paul mean by “all people”? Does he have any idea what he is saying? Does he actually mean to be “thankful” for people who have beaten him, imprisoned him, stoned him, and left him for dead (2 Corinthians 11:24-26)? And what about the people preaching false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)? What about the people Paul wished would emasculate themselves (Galatians 5:12)?
Does Paul really want us to pray and give thanks for “all people?”
In Verse Two, Paul continues his thought by focusing on “kings and all those in authority,” so if you are one of those people who believe Paul is talking about a certain group of “all people,” you are not alone. However, there is a case to be made for the literal understanding of Paul’s words — specifically that he means “all people,” including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
So why should we be thankful for people who oppose us as well as those who are our friends?
To see how God looks at this question, let’s return to the night before Jesus was crucified. Jesus and his disciples are sharing the passover meal. Jesus takes the wine and the bread, and he gives thanks. He also says “given for you” and “poured out for you” (Luke 22:14-23). According to Luke’s Gospel account, Judas, the man who betrays Jesus, was still sitting there taking part in all this.
How can Jesus sit there with the man who will turn him over to the Jews and the Romans? How can he offer him the same covenant offered to the other disciples?
God’s plan required that Jesus die as a he did. Without providing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice, humanity could not be redeemed.
Do I fully understand why this had to be?
No, not entirely.
Do I need to?
No, not if I am willing to trust God.
Somehow, Judas was an essential part of the plan for our redemption. Perhaps the pain of betrayal was part of the price for our salvation. The fact is that God’s ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).
That person who irritates you beyond your ability to endure? There is a reason they exist. Will we ever know what that reason is? Maybe not, but if we trust God’s plan, we ought to pray for them.
Application: Pray over everything in your life, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Food for Thought: How does praying as Paul suggests, with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving,” change our situation?
How does praying as Paul suggests, with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving,” change our situation?
I think praying with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving,” changes our situation in innumerable ways. I will offer four ways that it changes our situation.
Praying reduces our own anxiety. Praying with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” requires humility, and when we come to the Lord in humility, we are reminded that He is in control of everything will overcome evil with good.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
When we pray with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” we are no longer focused on ourselves and the temptation to fall into sin weakens. We are more aware of God’s presence.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Praying with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” is submitting in obedience to Christ. He is walking us through the situation.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Our willingness to pray with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” even if we do not know what we are to pray for, just expressing compassion, dependence, and confidence in the Lord, the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers to the Lord. God will move on our behalf according to His good Will, even if we don’t know what that that looks like.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Thank you, Chris!
Very well said and I agree with each point. It is good to keep all these things in mind.
Great comments and verses CH.
My admittedly simplistic answer is that prayer changes are situation because it directs our focus on God (and thus changes our attitude) and also calls on God’s power which is what we really need.
Thank you, Rich.
You have focused in on the essence of where God is pointing us with this passage.
How does praying as Paul suggests, with “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving,” change our situation?
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2 PETER 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 5:8, But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Gods love for “all mankind” has nothing to do with who or what we are and everything to do with who He is.
Gods nature is to clearly demonstrate His personal love for all His creation which existed before we were born. His command for all believers is to remove themselves from the accusers seat and into the advocates seat as we pray for those within our circle of influence, just as He has done for us.
Thank you Ron!
Nicely said!