First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
An online survey, conducted Aug.7, 2014, by Lifeway Research1, asked 1,137 Americans about the frequency and content of their prayers. Here’s what they learned:
Most Americans who pray typically focus on their friends and family (82%) or their own problems (74%). Just over half (54%) pray about good things happening in their life, while over a third pray for their future prosperity (36%).
Only 20% of those who responded said they pray for those who don’t know Christ. That’s even less than the number of people who pray to win the lottery! What has happened to our priorities in prayer?
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul passionately urges believers to pray for “all people”. Then he reminds us about the love of God, “who desires all people to be saved.”
How often do you pray for those who need to be saved? How often do you intercede for those who have no hope? How often to you go to your heavenly Father on behalf of your unbelieving friend or family member?
God used Charles Spurgeon’s preaching in the 19th Century to bring thousands of people to faith in Christ. Even so, Charles Spurgeon himself once said, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” That’s because he knew it was not his preaching alone that brought people to Christ; it was God drawing people to Himself in answer to prayer.
Jesus prayed for your salvation the night before He was crucified. His priorities in prayer were straight. In John 17:24, Jesus said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.” The very next morning He went to the cross and died there, showing you the glory of His victory over sin. And then He rose from the dead so you too will rise and spend eternity with Him.
There is power in prayer, so use that power! Make a concerted effort to pray for the salvation of your loved ones, your friends, your coworkers, and “all people”. You will be heard and answered by the One who loves each of them deeply, and who “desires all people to be saved” in Christ.
1 https://research.lifeway.com