Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always pray for everyone

The Importance of Praying for People
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”—1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

As I watched the athletes perform for the Olympic Games in Paris (France) this year, I caught myself praying. They were not overt prayers, although I had prayed overtly that the setting for the Olympics would be free of violence or terrorism. God answered my prayers! As I watched the runners and the swimmers do their thing, my enthusiasm autonomically welled up within me. As the gymnasts flipped and twirled, I was so amazed at their skill, but worried that they might fall. A few did and I prayed for them.

My internal prayers for the winners included hopes that they would be noble and generous with their competitors and retain humility, even as they proved themselves to be the best in the world. For those who did not get a medal, I prayed that their disappointment, after having trained as hard as the winners, would not plunge them into despair.

When the political atmosphere in the United States of America shifted suddenly a few weeks ago, I was drawn to prayer. Every day it seems that the political divide in the USA is more frequently typified by walls rather than bridges and conflict over cooperation. Internationally, the same is true.

The Biblical mandate to pray that I focus on today is quoted above. We have been exhorted, first, to pray for all people. We could never know everybody and call them by name. However, our prayers can be targeted to cover individuals and categories of people. I have always been stimulated by the verse in Psalm 122:6 (ESV) that says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” Is that the only city for which we should pray? Of course not!

King David, the writer of this Psalm, was familiar with and loved Jerusalem. It was his home. It was a new city built largely during his tenure as the King of Israel. For him, building this city was an act of devotion to God. Therefore, he cared about the quality of construction, the conduct of the society and the well-being of the citizens.

We too are vested in our communities. We should pray for the citizens of our neighborhoods. We should pray for the well-being of our economies and the presence of God in our societal norms. Then, the Apostle Timothy instructs us to pray similarly for leaders and potentates (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Timothy implies that when our leaders are covered by our prayers, God will bring peace and stability into our environments.

So, please join me in a devotional exercise of picking a city, the leaders and citizens within. Pick a person whom you know and pray for them, specifically. Pray that your city will be at peace. Pray for a crime-free day. Pray for a war-torn city or a family under any number of issues that create pressure and tension. Pray for evidence of miracles and perhaps that you can be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

As we lift our hearts in prayer today for all people, please hear the intent of our prayers and reach down to the people whose names we call and especially to those whose names or needs we do not know. Bring peace where there is strife, abundance where there is nothing. Bring liberty to the oppressed and freedom to those who are bound by choice, circumstance or inability. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Let There be Peace On Earth” by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.