ESOCS Devotional 18 February 2025 – Pray For All Souls
MEMORY VERSE: “I exhort you, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 KJV
TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-15
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
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God is Omnipotent (all-powerful); but He has chosen to let us join Him change the world through prayers. Paul based his instruction on his conviction that God’s invitation for salvation extends to all people. The word to all men (all people) captures the nature of the Gospel. God loves everybody (John 3:16). Paul also urged us to pray for each other and for our leaders in government. We should also pray for those in authority all over the world so that our societies will be conducive to live in and conducive to spread the Gospel.
Suffice to state that the situation in Rome made Paul to give the above instruction. At that time (A.D.54-6), Nero was the emperor and persecution of Christians was a growing threat to them. Nero was notorious and cruel. Just a little time after Paul wrote this instruction, Nero needed a scapegoat for the great and mysterious fire that destroyed much of Rome in A.D 64. So, he blamed the Roman Christians in order to take the focus off him. Then persecution erupted throughout Rome Empire resulting to Christians being denied of certain privileges in the society, killing, burning and public butchering of many of them and fed to animals.
The situation has not changed today all over the world – it has rather assumed various dimensions.
So it is imperative that Christians all over the world heed to this instruction for peace in the society, good governance and free movement so that the gospel can be preached throughout the world.
CHALLENGES
- Many Christians do not see reasons why they should pray for those in authority.
PRAYER POINT
- Holy Spirit, give me the will to pray for peace in the world.
FURTHER READING: John 17:6-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 3:1-3
ESOCS Devotional 18 February 2025
