I urge, then, first of all, that petitions,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for all people.
(1 Timothy 2:1)
Are you thankful for all people? Not just the ones you know and
love, your kids, parents, siblings, and best friend, but for ALL people? In
this verse, Paul gives specific instructions on worship and prayer. He is
telling Timothy to give praise and thanks for all people. Not just the ones
that think like us, look like us, try to please us, speak our language – NO
for EVERYONE! Is that as hard for you as it is for me? It’s pretty easy for
me to pray for and be thankful for the ones I love and spend time with,
but it’s a little more difficult to pray for those that hurt me or “mine.”
How about your enemies?
Forgiveness is the key. Jesus’ words from the Cross, “Father, forgive
them for they know not what they do,” is the foundation.
“Have that attitude in yourself that was also in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians. 2: 8).
What attitude? The one of forgiveness, which leads us to a spirit of
THANKSGIVING.
Jesus died for the whole world, every man, woman, and child. I
must learn to be thankful for each of them; otherwise, I do nothing more
than diminish Christ’s work on the Cross.
If HE died for the sins of ALL, then surely I can surrender; being
not only mindful but thankful for all.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life”
(John 3: 16).
Lord, our prayer today is this: please open our eyes to see the world,
all men, near to us and far away, as You do. Help us to be thankful for
them so that we may be available to live out YOUR great commission to
“go unto all the world and preach the gospel” wherever you may lead us.
Amen.
- Roddy Conner -
