An outlined directive to pray is given to us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, and therefore included in our garden as part of our responsibility:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,Paul's urgent instruction to his spiritual son listed various kinds of prayers to be made for all men.
For kings, and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(1 Tim. 2:1-4)
If the first thing this passage tells us to do is to pray for all men, it is right therefore, for us to pray for all men. It would not be correct for us to look around and think that we, as well as our family and dear friends, are the only ones in our own garden. Because the Bible says to pray for all men, God, therefore, makes it possible by the Holy Spirit's help for us to pray for all men. Praying for the rain of God's presence, as discussed in the previous chapter, is one effective way to pray for all men.
Secondly it says we are to pray for "kings, and all who are in authority...." By telling us to pray for these people, we are authorized to do so.
I had the privilege of assisting Brother Kenneth E. Hagin start Prayer and Healing School in 1979. There were three primary reasons Brother Hagin felt compelled to have a school of prayer. One was for the people attending healing school, for teaching and demonstrating the principles of prayer, and finally for the purpose of praying for kings and all in authority.
First Timothy 2:1-4 was a foundational scripture and was used regularly to direct the subject of prayer. There was no one more indifferent and unconcerned than I about this particular subject of prayer. I fervently prayed about the spread of the gospel to all men and a move of God's Spirit in our services, but cooled off quickly on the subject of kings and all those in authority. To me, it was boring and unrelated to important matters, such as people being saved.
When I eventually came to lead Prayer School, it was my responsibility to carry on prayer for this subject. Oh, how difficult it was, until it seemed that I began to pick up the pulse of God's heart through this amazing scripture. When this passage came alive to me, it unfolded in my heart and I saw within these verses a divine strategy.
Notice that in verse one, we are instructed to pray for all men and verse four explains why, stating that God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He paid the price by the blood of His own Son for all men to be saved. If our desire, however, is for just a family member or a few friends to come into our church, then the strategy placed in this scripture may be overlooked. It may be obeyed and performed dutifully as I did, but it will not be from the heart.
The Lord showed me that if I shared His desire for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, I would need to be aware of and embrace the instruction sandwiched between verses one and four. With this in mind, you can see that by targeting kings and people in positions of authority, the "all men" under the influence of those persons will be affected. You can actually affect more people in prayer by praying for those in authority over them.
Along with this urgent exhortation to pray for "kings, and all who are in authority" comes the authorization for us to pray for these people. Note that the term "kings" is plural, indicating that we should pray for kings other than our own as well as any and all persons of authority and influence. It is glorious to think that people of outstanding influence, whom you see on television and in magazines, can actually be influenced by what the Holy Spirit inspires you to pray!
Look around your garden. In addition to yourself, your family, and friends, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 mentions others you have been instructed to pray for. Therefore, you have a right and responsibility to pray for all those mentioned. Let's pray, knowing that the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper, cannot help us do nothing, but is ever ready to inspire and empower us when we pray in this arena.
Excerpt permission granted by Blaze Publishing House
Patsy is compelled to help believers find their place in Christ. Her message, which often emphasizes prayer, is marked by a personal pursuit of God that has inspired many believers to also develop their own walk with God in a real and purposeful way.
