All People

"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. 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 Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. I Timothy 2:1-6

I love pizza. Eating it is one of those small pleasures in life that is sure to bring a smile to my face. The snack shop at the camp I worked at in high school served pizza. Tombstone pizza. Thin crust. When it came out of the toaster oven, only the heat of the cheese kept me from absolutely devouring it. It's still my favorite. There are many other pizzas and pizza places out there, but I don't think about them the same way I do the ole Tombstones.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, revealed his suspicion that many of our prayer lists are much like my pizza list. We think regular about some, but others? ... not so much. That reality is why I believe he was very intentional in using the word all. Yep. Everyone. Even THAT person. He then, specifically mentions ALL who are in a position of authority. What are we supposed to pray? Pray that God will help them. And yes, even give God thanks for them.

So, was Paul "off his rocker" or what? Nope. His heart was just a whole lot more like God's heart than mine ... the heart that desires everyone to be saved, for everyone to understand the truth. There's only way for us to get there. Start praying. Ask God to help all people and thank him for each and everyone. I believe you'll find it amazing how praying this way will drive hatred and darkness out and love and light in. Jesus made it possible. Our obedience makes it personal.

Grace and Peace,

Tom

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