Pray for America?

Introduction

As we deal with the impact of the current COVID-19 crisis in our nation it is my hope that by God’s help every one of us will see our prayer lives strengthened.

In this passage Paul is exhorting young Timothy to place the proper emphasis on the ministry of prayer. Prayer is the most formidable, but the least used weapon, in the Christian’s arsenal.

Paul gave Timothy some valuable instruction on prayer in these few short verses that would certainly be valuable to you and I as we pray for our nation in the days ahead.

Paul deals with the:

Priority

No matter the circumstances we are facing our first instinct should be to pray. Far too often prayer is our last resort when everything else has failed.

When it seems that things are spiraling out of control our first response should be to cry out to God.

The most important thing that you and I can do for our country is to pray. There are many other things that we can and should do but these things are no substitute for praying.

We should witness, we should take a stand for truth, we should let our voices be heard in the political arena but first of all let’s pray!

We can do more than pray after we have prayed, but we cannot do more than pray until we have prayed!

The only hope that we have of seeing revival and a turning back to God in our nation is that God would do it, so we must pray!

James 5:16- effectual fervent prayer availeth much

Let us make prayer a priority in our lives during these times and then let us continue to keep it a priority when this crisis has passed.

I Thessalonians 5:17- we should take Paul’s instruction seriously

Practice (How?)

Paul uses four distinct terms to describe our praying. Each of these terms speaks to a specific aspect of our prayer lives.

All four terms are important and we cannot afford to neglect any one of them if we desire to have a well-rounded prayer life.

Supplications- this is when we petition God for our own felt needs. When there is a need in our lives we should bring petition God for the meeting of the need.

As we feel the need for the company of our brothers and sister in Christ we ought to ask God to hasten the time when we can gather together again.

As we feel the need for relief from stress and anxiety we should petition God to help us to conquer our fears.

As we struggle financially or physically we should cry out to God and request His provision and protection from harm.

Whatever it is that we need, God is more than able to supply it!

Prayers- simply abiding in His presence and worshipful conversing with Him

We should not come to God as though He is merely a cosmic genie to grant all our wishes, but we ought also to take the time for reverent conversation with God.

We ought to speak with Him as though we cherish our relationship with Him and have a desire for sincere and continual communication. We must remember who God is and speak to Him with the worshipful reverence He deserves.

Intercessions- drawing near to God confidently asking Him to intervene.

The word translated here as intercession means a confident drawing near to someone, in this case God.

We come to God in prayer confidently asking Him to intervene in our world to accomplish what we are asking for.

The verb of the same word suggests that this if often in reference to pleading on the behalf of another.

Giving of Thanks- we should also communicate our appreciation for what God has already done.

We must remember to be thankful for what God has done and make sure to render our praise to Him for He is certainly worthy.

We should not limit our thanksgiving to only the actions of God but should also give thanks for His very nature and character.

People (Who?)

Paul also instructs Timothy in his responsibility to pray for all men and gives special instruction regarding the responsibility to pray for those in positions of authority.

As we pray for our nation and more broadly our world, we must pray for all men. This means we pray not only for the good and the right but for the evil and the wayward.

Our prayers are not to be limited to those which we favor but should extend to all men, every segment of society. We pray for those who are friends to the gospel as well as those who are enemies of Christ.

We are to give special attention to those who are in authority especially those who are tasked with determining the direction of our nation.

We should be praying regularly for our president, our vice president, our senators and representatives in congress, our governor, our mayor and city council.

We do not have to agree with their decisions but we do have a responsibility to pray for them. What better hope do we have of them making better decisions than to pray for them?

It is often the case that those in positions of authority will establish policies that either promote or restrict the spread of the gospel. Let us never cease to pray that those in authority in our nation would not do institute any policy that would restrict the spread of the gospel and the Word of God.

Proverbs 21:1- God can change the heart of those in authority as He pleases.

We must recognize the burden and stress that those in authority carry and this should motivate us all the more to pray for them.

Purpose (Why?)

A strong prayer life is beneficial to our own spiritual health and is also a wonderful testimony that brings glory and honor to God.

A strong prayer life is pleasing the sight of God.

Praying will bring God into every circumstance. When we pray God is moved to action.

A strong prayer life will be beneficial to you and I as we learn more deeply to trust in God as we watch His hand at work in our circumstances in response to our prayers.

We will find quiet rest when we have made our requests know to God. We can find tranquility in knowing that ultimately every situation is in His control and we need not fear or be overcome with anxiety.

We will also find a more peaceable life as we pray for our fellow man instead of fighting and arguing with them. We should let God fight our battles not engage in petty disputes and debates.

We will be more godly as we spend more time in the presence of God we will naturally become more like Him.

We will also be able to maintain our dignity, we will not have to live with regrets regarding our actions and behavior if we will seek God before we act.

We must also pray simply because it is pleasing to God. God desires to converse with His children and He takes pleasure in our praying.

Finally we must remember that God’s ultimate goal is to have all men to be saved and to know the truth. The most effective tool we have to work towards accomplishing this goal is prayer.

We must recognize that our prayers play a vital role in reaching the lost in our community, our state, our region, our nation, and our world. If they are going to hear the gospel and have the opportunity to be saved prayer is key.