As a person committed to the practice of prayer I often wonder, for whom should I pray? The Apostle Paul gives a simple answer—everyone. He wrote: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

Feels like a big task to pray for every person in the world. But Paul didn’t back down. He also added prayers for kings and all who are in high positions.

Paul helps us understand how prayer benefits ourselves and those around us. Indeed, Paul urges everyone who follows Jesus to pray for the leaders of our world so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Such prayers are part of God’s master plan. Praying in this way is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

My prayers, when offered up in the interest of others, lead to their benefit whether they follow God or not. The prayers of those who trust the Lord aid in the development of a peaceful and quiet society. We may seem a long way from peace and quiet, but just think where we might be without all the praying people in this world?

You and I bless others today simply by praying for them. Such acts are good and pleasing to the Lord. Here’s an example of a prayer mirroring this encouragement from Paul, one you and I can pray today:

Lord, we pray for the men and women leading our nations. We ask that you guide them and our societies towards peace and dignity. In so doing, open hearts to the knowledge of your truth. May all the peoples of the world understand there is but one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

Photo by Elliot Gouy