4. Pray for All People

Introduction

General: Gather25 video (first 2:45)

Personal: What is the church supposed to do?

Biblical 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2:1 (ESV).

Subject: How do we pray for all people? When we pray for others, what should we pray for?

Body

Pray for shalom. Pray for the common good.

Exposition (1 Tim 2:1-2)

“all people” = all kinds of people

“supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanskgivings” = all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people

Verse 2… Shalom = everything as it should be according to God’s design // Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven… // for the common good

We are to pray for the leaders of a nation so that they will create a stable society in which the Christians living in that nation can embody God’s shalom, and become a glimpse of his kingdom on earth.

Illustration: Praying for shalom means praying for things to be as they should be according to God’s design. There are many things in our world that are not as they should be… hungry children… homeless people with mental illnesses… kids bringing guns to school… immigration system…

Application: Praying Scripture for shalom (not just for US but for Nicaragua and others)

Jeremiah 29:7 “7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

Psalm 122:6–9 “6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”

Micah 6:8 “8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Pray for salvation. Pray for redemption.

Exposition (1 Tim 2:3-6)

There are many different kinds of people but there is only one God. And he is the God of us all. And he wants us to pray for all because he wants all to be saved and to know him.

One God for all people. One Savior // One ransom // One cross // One testimony for all people: God desires all people to be saved and know the truth, so Jesus came to save us all.

Illustration: I was convicted this week. As a church, the first thing we’re supposed to do is pray for the shalom and the salvation of all people. How often do we do that?

Application: Write a name on a card.

Pray for sending. Pray for people to go.

Exposition (1 Timothy 2:7)

Paul, a Jewish man, was sent to preach the message of Jesus to the Gentiles and teach them how to follow Christ in faith and truth.

Matthew 9:37–38 “37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

Application

What if you are the answer to your prayers? The “Three Open Prayer”

Lord, open doors to share the gospel.

Lord, open the hearts to receive the gospel.

Lord, open my mouth to speak the gospel.

How to pray for all people:

Pray for shalom.

Pray for salvation.

Pray for sending.

What would you need in order to be the answer to your prayers for all people?

Conclusion

Gather25, a global online gathering of Christians to pray for the discipleship of all people.

Show video (Starting at 2:45 and playing through to the end)

As of today, there are already millions of Christians registered from 179 countries. We are going to join this movement and gather to livestream the worship, prayer, and commissioning on February 28, from 7:00 - 11:00 PM.