Let’s be faithful to pray for the salvation of leaders and others living in darkness.
1 Timothy 2:1-7
New International Version
Instructions on Worship
2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 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.
In 1 Timothy 2, the apostle Paul gives us some guidelines for living in a way that will attract others to Jesus. For one thing, praying for all people—including our governing authorities—can lead to “a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Recognizing this can make people want to “come to the knowledge of the truth” and be saved according to God’s desire (1 Tim. 2:2-4).
There is no righteousness or goodness in the fallen human heart that makes us worthy of salvation in God’s eyes. Nevertheless, He has chosen to love and save us as a display of “the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Fallen angels can never receive forgiveness, but redeemed humanity will be eternal trophies of God’s grace in the ages to come.
When we live with righteousness and respect, we become like lights in this dark, sinful world. In that way, we point others to the Lord Jesus Christ so they too can receive God’s salvation and likewise give Him glory forever. So let’s be faithful in making “requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving … in behalf of all people” because this is good and acceptable to God (1 Tim. 2:1, 3).
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