Prayer Guidelines for Interceding for People in Authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2:6)
Illustration: I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, but especially for those who in authority. --1 Timothy 2:1
Over the centuries since Jesus died for our sins and rose victorious from the grave, many methods have been used to spread the gospel. From Peter’s first sermon, when 3,000 were saved, to great preaching campaigns of men like Charles Spurgeon and Billy Sunday, to friendship evangelism, many ways of influencing others to accept Jesus’ free gift have been tried.
In a major city in the midwest, another method has been launched: prayer evangelism. In the campaign to reach the populace of this city, organizers have set out to pray for every individual. They have divided the city into sections, and all cooperating churches have been assigned the names of the people in those sections.
Of course, it will also take other kinds of contacts, such as literature or face-to-face visits, but prayer is the major component. In 1 Timothy, Paul explained that God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2:4). And the method suggested for beginning the work of evangelization is "supplications, prayers, intercessions . . . for all men" (v.1).
What about your neighborhood and mine? Let’s begin right now to do some prayer evangelism. (Our Daily Bread)
Talk to God about people before you talk to people about God.
I. The Holy Spirit helps you pray for your authorities in the following areas:
1. The Spirit urges you to make all requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all those in authority. As we pray in the power of the Spirit for our authorities, we will experience numerous spin off benefits in the way the Lord blesses those who are over us. (I Timothy 2:1,2)
2. The Spirit teaches you how to ask God to grant your authorities ALL spiritual wisdom and insight so that they can walk in a way that pleases the Lord in all respects and bears fruit in every good work while they increase in the knowledge of God. Pray that they will be strengthened with all power according to HIS glorious might for the obtaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy. (Col. 1:9-11)
3. The Holy Spirit reminds you to ask the Lord to supply the following specific needs for your authorities:
A. Balance in all of their decisions, actions, perspectives
B. Cooperation from their people, peers and superiors in the church, government & community
C. Assistance in areas of weakness
D. Humility to remain teachable, available and faithful to the word of God in all circumstances
E. Focus on Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of our faith
F. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness
G. Health, emotional, physical & mental well being
H. Protection, safety, security and safe keeping
I. Provisions, supplies, materials and resources
J. Successfully fight the good fight of faith
K. Taking up the full armor of God
L. Consistently praying in the Spirit
M. Courage to accomplish all that God desires
N. Favorable relationships with other wise leaders who they can learn, sharpen and benefit from
O. Sensitivity to the needs of their people
P. A servant’s heart, mind and lifestyle
Q. Willingness to learn from correction and change
R. Wisdom in choosing Biblically qualified advisers who can help complement their gifts and abilities
S. A healthy fear of the Lord
T. Willingness to trust and obey God in all ways
U. Vision, goals, and purposes that come from God
V. Endurance, perseverance & steadfastness
W. Willingness to let God work through suffering
X. Consistently be filled with Spirit so as to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control
Z. Willingness to put away all traces of anger, wrath, slander, malice, bitterness, brawling, rage, immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and ungodliness
AA. Clear priorities that are Biblically based
BB. Growth in social, mental, emotional, cultural, physical, political, moral, behavioral, educational, interpersonal, financial, and spiritual areas of life
CC. Articulative ability to speak the truth in love while growing up in all areas in Christ
DD. Clear communicational & persuasive skills
EE. Seeking the glory of God above all things
FF. Loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength and mind and their neighbor as themselves
GG. Consistently looking to the fields that are ripe for harvesting through evangelism, outreach ministries and planting and growing churches
HH. Ability to manage, organize and administrate
II. Ability to maintain the necessary services to keep the organization running smoothly in God’s will
JJ. Ability to trust in the Lord with all their heart so that they do not rely on their own insights
KK. Consistently build leaders who meet the qualifications of a Biblical overseer (I Tim. 3:1-6)
LL. Good connections & networking with people
MM. Decisions that are Biblically based and supported by the prayers of a plurality of Godly elders who are putting God’s interests first
NN. Focus on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that worries are minimized
OO. Wholesome conversations that are edifying
PP. A healthy supply of Godly counselors to assist in making, the wisest decisions with the direction of your church, its resources and personnel
QQ. Cognitive, affective, moral and presentational growth in their preaching and teaching
RR. A healthy balance of rich content, persuasive delivery and organization in their communications
SS. Progressive blessings as seen in the qualitative and quantitative growth of your organization
TT. Ability to wait on the Lord before acting
UU. An overcoming attitude through God’s power
VV. An ability to deal with problems in the Spirit’s power, wisdom and truthful sensitivity to people
WW. Tact, discretion and diplomacy in all matters
XX. Growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ
ZZ. A Godly family and personal lifestyle
AAA. A rich devotional life of abiding in Christ
BBB. Biblical ability to balance love and truth
CCC. Ability to overcome all evil temptations
DDD. Ability to overcome evil with good
EEE. Ability to complete the work God has called them to do personally and organizationally
