“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1).
The word, “exhort” in our verse denotes a sense of urgency. What Paul admonished Timothy to do is also needful for us today. John Wesley states: “But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. Intercession is prayer for others. We may likewise give thanks for all men, in the full sense of the word, for that God willeth all men to be saved, and Christ is the Mediator of all.”
To close out this week of study, if we need to do a “prayer stretch” it will mean giving more time to prayer. Praying for our needs, the needs of others, and the requests of those serving at home and abroad, will mean adjusting our time and priorities. From experience, I don’t think fifteen minutes will suffice.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Spend devoted time in prayer today for the WMO this Sunday, asking God to burden and equip His people to give to world evangelism.
