In the great first epistle to Timothy the apostle Paul by inspiration writes in chapter 2 verses one through 8 of prayer. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." 

The Bible here speaks of some things we should pray for. We are told in verse two that we should pray for all of those in the government, those in authority. We are told that we should do this in that we might lead a peaceable life. We should pray for those and all men that they might come to the knowledge of the truth. Prayer here to me establishes a great wealth. Prayer is powerful. We are to pray for everyone. We are told in the last of these verses to pray every where without wrath and doubting. Pray with the belief that your prayer will be answered. Prayer is the only thing in life at times that we have. 

We are told in Matthew 5:44 to pray for our enemies, and for those who use us. In Matthew 26:41 we are to pray to avoid temptation. Mark 11:24 is a great verse for all Christians to remember: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them". We are assured here that we must believe in the power of prayer. Christ teaches that we should not pray in repetition (Matthew 6:7). We should speak to God from our hearts because he knows what we need even before we ask him (Matthew 6:8).

In Jonah Chapter two we read of Jonah being in the great fishes belly. Jonah did exactly what each Christian should do when faced with a great distress because of lack of faith in God. He prayed to God. He did pray fervently that he would change. In Psalms chapter thirty-eight and verse four David by inspiration prays that his sins are too heavy for him to bear. This is yet another way that our Lord can help us with a weight that we are not capable of lifting. Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7).

As each day that you lift your words above to the Father which is Heaven (Matthew 6:9) do so with an understanding that you are speaking to God. Pray to him in with all belief that he hears. Pray that your sins may be forgiven and that you might have an understanding. Pray for all men that they might receive the way the truth and the light so that they may come to the Father and have salvation that is open to all men.
 
 

Copyright 1999 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.