21 Days of Prayer – Day 12

1 Timothy 2:1 -First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

What does “all” mean? I think it means…all. I haven’t looked it up but I’m betting it means the same thing in the original language as well…everybody, anybody, whoever. I’m pretty sure that “all” probably includes people who aren’t like us, people who don’t like us and people we don’t like. It most likely includes people who make a difference and people who are just, well…different. I think “all” would include our best friend, our distant friends, our former friends and our enemies even. There is something messy about the word “all”.

Now insert prayer into the mix…can we really PRAY for everyone who fits in the “all” category? Is there enough room in our heart for them? I don’t think we really get an option. We are commanded to love our enemies and urged to pray for ALL. I urge you today alongside Paul to pray for all. Pray for those you don’t like today, pray for those you are jealous of [and then let’s repent of our jealousy!], pray for those who may irritate the crud out of us, pray for those who are difficult to love and pray for those who may not normally make our prayer list.

I believe that God will do something through a process like this. I believe that God happens to know what He’s doing when it comes to these things! I believe He might just be revealing a bit of His heart towards us in all of this. Remember, we’re not the most lovable at times! We can never forget that it’s only because God has an “all” category that we can get in this deal at all! Anybody, whosoever, anyone who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved! Praise God for that!

– Pastor Shawn