Matthew 22:34-40
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. – Matthew 22:37
Click to read What do you pray for? Most of the time, we pray for our families, our needs, our difficulties, our church and our ministries. These are certainly good things to be praying for! God desires for us to be turning to Him in prayer for all things, and that we pray for His will to be done.
The passage today poses a challenge for us in considering our prayers. Paul writes to Timothy, who is pastoring the church in Ephesus. Paul instructs him and the Ephesian church to pray for all people (1 Tim 2:1), especially for kings and those in positions of authority (1 Tim 2:2). He is not saying we should pray for our leaders simply so that life will be smooth and easy. Rather, we pray that our leaders—whether godly or not—would govern with justice and uphold peace and order in society. When a nation is free from strife, we can lead godly lives and the gospel can advance. More importantly, we pray that they would come to know the truth and be saved, for this is God’s desire for all people (1 Tim 2:3-4).
We serve one God, who sent one mediator as ransom for all. God longs for all people, regardless of race, language, age, or social status, to know Jesus and be saved by him. Knowing that this is God’s desire for our nations, our leaders and the world, let our prayers be less for our own comforts and wants. Instead, let us pray more for all people to come to know the truth of the gospel of Christ, that God our Saviour is glorified.
As our nation’s 60th birthday approaches, let us be praying for our leaders to continue governing Singapore with wisdom and justice. May our hearts be aligned with God’s heart for the world, to pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to soften more hearts to know and believe in Christ.
Reflection:
How often do you pray for our nation’s leaders? How can your prayers reflect more of God’s desire for all people to know Jesus and be saved?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness in sustaining and blessing our nation for the past 60 years. Thank you for providing us with wise and capable leaders, and for the peace and stability we enjoy. Thank you especially for the freedom to worship you and to share the gospel in our communities. Please grant our leaders discernment, integrity, and wisdom as they lead. Teach us to honour and obey them in a way that reflects our reverence for You. Above all, we pray that they would come to know the truth of the gospel, and receive the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read What do you pray for? Most of the time, we pray for our families, our needs, our difficulties, our church and our ministries. These are certainly good things to be praying for! God desires for us to be turning to Him in prayer for all things, and that we pray for His will to be done.
The passage today poses a challenge for us in considering our prayers. Paul writes to Timothy, who is pastoring the church in Ephesus. Paul instructs him and the Ephesian church to pray for all people (1 Tim 2:1), especially for kings and those in positions of authority (1 Tim 2:2). He is not saying we should pray for our leaders simply so that life will be smooth and easy. Rather, we pray that our leaders—whether godly or not—would govern with justice and uphold peace and order in society. When a nation is free from strife, we can lead godly lives and the gospel can advance. More importantly, we pray that they would come to know the truth and be saved, for this is God’s desire for all people (1 Tim 2:3-4).
We serve one God, who sent one mediator as ransom for all. God longs for all people, regardless of race, language, age, or social status, to know Jesus and be saved by him. Knowing that this is God’s desire for our nations, our leaders and the world, let our prayers be less for our own comforts and wants. Instead, let us pray more for all people to come to know the truth of the gospel of Christ, that God our Saviour is glorified.
As our nation’s 60th birthday approaches, let us be praying for our leaders to continue governing Singapore with wisdom and justice. May our hearts be aligned with God’s heart for the world, to pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to soften more hearts to know and believe in Christ.
Reflection:
How often do you pray for our nation’s leaders? How can your prayers reflect more of God’s desire for all people to know Jesus and be saved?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness in sustaining and blessing our nation for the past 60 years. Thank you for providing us with wise and capable leaders, and for the peace and stability we enjoy. Thank you especially for the freedom to worship you and to share the gospel in our communities. Please grant our leaders discernment, integrity, and wisdom as they lead. Teach us to honour and obey them in a way that reflects our reverence for You. Above all, we pray that they would come to know the truth of the gospel, and receive the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.