Mensa Otabil - Pray for the Salvation of All

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First Timothy, chapter 2, verses 3 and 4: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. So, if you remember in verse 1, Paul says we should pray for all men. In verse 2, he says to pray for kings and for those in authority.

Now, in verse 3, he tells us it is good to do that. Why? He gives us the reason we should pray in that sequence: pray for all men and for kings because it is acceptable in the sight of God, who desires all men to be saved. God desires for everyone to be saved, and that is a very profound truth. God wants the whole world to experience salvation.

You know, sometimes we act as if God is pleased with people being condemned, punished, judged, or going to hell, but that is not God’s desire. He desires for all men, and of course it includes women, to be saved; that all human beings, all people, come to a place of salvation where sin does not rule over anybody in this world. That is why we should pray for all people, both high and low, and we must pray for the salvation of sinners.

You know, sometimes people who are sinners can be very, very bad. In Paul’s case, he lived under the Roman system, which turned against Christianity and persecuted it. But he said God’s desire is that all men will be saved. Jesus showed us that example when he was on the cross; as he was being nailed, the natural thing would have been for him to say, «Father, punish these people.» Instead, he said, «Father, forgive them.»

On the cross, the thief by his side asked for salvation, and he granted him salvation. Why? Because it is God’s will for all men and all women to be saved. One reason we pray for those in authority is not only that they themselves get saved, which is important, but also that an atmosphere will be created for the message of the gospel to be preached for the salvation of the world. Anything that takes people away from salvation must be prayed against.

He tells us then that we must pray that people come to the knowledge of the truth, and that is important. Why? Because every human being has a hunger within them; in everybody’s heart, there is a desire for the spiritual, for the supernatural, to know God, whoever they think God is. Sometimes that quest drives people, and they read and explore, possibly ending up in a wrong or false belief system.

So Paul says to the Christians, pray that all these people- all men, all kings, and all those in authority- will come to the knowledge of the truth. Pray that in their quest to know God, they will know Him accurately; they will know Him in spirit and in truth. So, why can’t God just do all things by Himself? God does do all things by Himself, but He works with us. We are His children here on earth, and we pray for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our prayers are important to the fulfillment of God’s will and purposes in the lives of people and in our world.

So, we pray for the whole world; we pray for those in authority that they will not make policies that hinder the spread of the gospel, but will instead set up systems that facilitate it. I am on television; I am on social media preaching the gospel. I believe these are avenues created by God for sharing the gospel.

These are ways in which God answers our prayers. Through natural processes, which we may not think are spiritual, God is working to make the message of the gospel and the truth of the gospel reach as many people as possible. That is what we pray for, and I hope that will also be your prayer.

Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your priceless gift of salvation. Use me to draw people to Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.