Don't Forget to Pray

Most of us are familiar with the song, “Did You Think to Pray?”. The hymn is a good reminder for how members of the Lord’s church should greet each day with prayer. Through casting our cares upon Him, we find great peace and freedom from so many anxieties (1 Pet. 5:7; Php. 4:6-7). No matter the situation of life or specific nature of trials we may face, we must continue to earnestly petition our God (Col. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17). The chorus of the song exclaims, “O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day; So, when life seems dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.” Let’s examine some points Paul made to Timothy concerning prayer.

Don’t forget to pray different kinds of prayers (1 Tim. 2:1). The inspired apostle mentions four different kinds of prayer, or rather, four aspects which can and should be included in our prayers. A supplication is a plea or entreaty, a request which we make of our God to address a need which we are having. The second term, prayers, is the most used word for our communication with God in the New Testament. It speaks of a humble and worshipful petition. Third, we have the word for praying on someone else’s behalf, intercessions. These requests, whether made for the sake of a close friend or a stranger, are some of the most beautiful prayers offered. The final area of interest is giving of thanks. We should always be filled with gratitude toward God. The Christian should see that prayer is not just asking God for things, but it must also be a time of expressing our thankfulness for all the blessings God has already given.

Don’t forget to pray for authority figures (1 Tim. 2:2). Pray for all men but remember especially our leaders and those who hold authoritative roles in society. Whether they be kings, presidents, governors, mayor, teachers, or police officers, all these should be in the prayers of faithful Christians. God intends for civil government to be a blessing for those who do good (Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:14). Notice the reason given for this instruction, so that we may pursue peace and exemplify godliness.

Don’t forget that God wants us to pray (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Prayer is good and acceptable in God’s sight. Among those things for which Christians should pray is that people will be saved through their coming to a knowledge of the truth. It is His will that we would be thinking and praying about others constantly, even as He, Himself, desires the salvation of all men and women. Of course, we are also obligated to do all we can to get that truth to as many people in the world as possible (Mk. 16:15; 2 Cor. 5:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:2). Prayer will never do our work for us, but it will focus and strengthen us for the work which must be done!