Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, September 25, 2022 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Prayer and Mission

Introduction: We must pray for and go to the nations. What can we do for the billions who are lost? For starters, we can pray. Our sovereign God has chosen to respond to the prayers of His people.

1. We Must Practice Prayer for All People. (2:1-4)

   I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

   This is simply telling us that we should pray all kinds of prayer for all kinds of people, because:

   • God delights for us to pray, asking that all people may come to a saving knowledge of

     Jesus Christ.

   • God desires all to be saved – He takes no delight in the death of the wicked, but delights

     when sinners believe and trust in His name.

     Father, please fill our hearts with Your compassion for people of every tribe, tongue, and nation, that we might please You by praying for the salvation of all.

2. We Must Support Missions to All People. (2:5-7)

   For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

   We can pray because:

   • There is a Mediator; there is hope, and that hope is in Jesus.

   • The church has a global, life-saving mission to proclaim the gospel.

     In all the nations, people need to hear that Jesus loves them, that He laid down His life for them, that through Him we have access to God. We preach to all people who will hear: Christ has come, is reigning, and will come again. He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no way to the Father but by Him, so give your life to Him.

     We certainly should pray for our own nation and leaders, and that people here turn to Christ, but because God is the God of all nations and desires people throughout the world to be saved, our vision for the gospel must extend to the ends of the earth. We should pray for God’s leading in how this church can be involved in missions, financially, prayerfully, and personally.

     Father, thank You that You have offered hope to all the world through Jesus. Please use this church to pray for the nations and to help reach them with the gospel, all for Your glory.