Praying Second Timothy

As we pray in concert today, the topic of prayer is 2 Timothy 2:1-2:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

The Holy Spirit has led me to focus our prayers on people in two leadership positions:

1. Pastors – This Sunday, January 10th, hundreds of pastors from across our nation will be leading their church congregations in 21 days of prayer and fasting.

• Pray for the pastors: wisdom, anointing and unction from the Holy Spirit; protection from the enemy and personal renewal in their own relationship with Christ as they too seek Him in fasting and prayer.
• Pray as well for those in their congregation: that they will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading regarding prayer and fasting.
• Pray for a spirit of repentance to be given the Church as so many in our nation are fasting and humbling themselves before God. May revival come to our nation once again!

2. Government Leaders – During the month of January, while we and so many others in our nation are fasting, I feel led of God that we should take time each Thursday to pray for our nation and its leaders.

• May God give those in leadership a fear of Himself. May He give them insight into the Scriptures and a belief in its Truth.
• May He bring them to an end of themselves, removing pride in self, pride in our government (it is not more powerful or more perfect than God) and selfish ambition.
• May He protect them from the enemy, his schemes and deceptions
• May He prosper those who are His faithful servants–prospering their faith, their families, their staff, their future service in government and their God-given initiatives currently underway in government.

There is a promised result – even a personal result – when you and I pray in this way: we will lead “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” America will be safe. Godliness will increase – I am claiming this for our nation, as well as our own personal godliness.

“Reverence” is a promised result. The word in the original language means: “the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity, honor, purity.”

Can you imagine such godliness restored to our nation that there is a  prevalent, open reverence for God? Such reverence and respect for God and His laws, and for other human beings, that crime is reduced? Can you imagine dignity and sanctity of life returning once again — respect for the unborn, the young, the elderly and the disabled? Can you imagine our moral standards reversing and purity being restored?

The promise God makes in this verse is that we will lead “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (emphasis added). It doesn’t say “minimal” godliness and reverence. Or “some” godliness and reverence. It says “ALL” And that’s what I’m claiming today!

I’m looking forward to meeting you before the throne of grace at 6:30! Remember, God IS “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 (emphasis added).