Prayer,4

Let us Pray 4(New testament prayer points)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
[17] Pray without ceasing.
Scriptures teach to have a ceaseless attitude to prayer .
We have since seen how to pray for the unsaved,fellow
believers and our ministers .
Scriptures teach us also to pray for those in authority .
1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV
[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead
a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Kings- refer to presidents ,governors .All that are in authority
refers to anyone else occupying leadership roles in the society
.
This appears the ONLY New Testament scripture for praying
for our nation even though it's not expressly stated as it
addresses personalities particularly.
Why are we to pray for them ?
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty .
Amplified translation renders it this way
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings and all who are in positions of
authority or high responsibility, that outwardly we may pass a
quiet and undisturbed life and inwardly a peaceable one in all
godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way.
Undisturbed life .godliness and reverence .
This prayer request seems to be for the benefit of believers as
non believers can't exhibit the above traits except saved .
However context will help us.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour;
4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.
The prayers for those in government is for salvation .
Not good economic policies etc.
Gods will for all men is clearly spelt out
2 Peter 3:9 KJV
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
This includes our leaders in our nation .
Are we to ask for wisdom for them ?
There is NO New Testament scripture for this.
However it won't be out of place to ask for wisdom on behalf
of another but realize there is no express instruction nor
admonition in the New Testament to do so.
Our prayers for our leaders are seen in the results of their
response to the gospel of christ not great economic or social
changes.
Let's see such results
John 19:38-39 KJV
[38] And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of
Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that
he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him
leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
[39] And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came
to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about an hundred pound weight .
Two different rulers who were disciples of Jesus .
Acts 10:1,45 KJV
[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band ,
45] And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Cornelius was a military leader ,a man in authority ,he receives
the gospel and his household
Acts 13:7,12 KJV
[7] Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus,
a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired
to hear the word of God.
12] Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed,
being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Another ruler believed the gospel .
Acts 18:8 KJV
[8] And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on
the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians
hearing believed, and were baptized.
Another ruler here believe the gospel with all his house ,this
led many Corinthians to also believe
.Acts 28:7 KJV
[7] In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of
the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and
lodged us three days courteously.
Yet another man / person in authority.
The primary reason we are to pray for those in authority is for
their salvation .
As this occurs we see such results in our lives
1 Timothy 2:2 KJV
.... that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty.
There are many godless nations with godless leaders with
good economies ,security however the citizens aren't leading
this life of godliness .
Is it out of place to pray for the economic and social well
being of your nation ?NO.
But the primary reason for praying for others should either be
for salvation or spiritual growth or ministry ,and in the case of
our leaders ,who are unsaved ,for their salvation .
God wants our leaders saved from sin .
We should want it too.
Ready ?
List out 10 leaders in your nation ,state etc ,start to pray for
them and those who are saved pray that they come into the
knowledge of the truth .
Don't forget to pray in the spirit ( 1 Corinthians
14:14-15,Jude20)
Let us pray !
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord,We Win!