“Pray for all People”
(Eric Randolph)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…” – 1 Timothy 2:1
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, urges us to pray for everyone (huper pantōn anthrōpōn). Forgetting no one, because the wealthy and the poor, the friend and the enemy, and the leader and follower need our prayers. In the midst of so much division and fear, prayer helps us to concentrate our thoughts, to focus on God and the abundance of God's love, and how God works through each one of us in specific ways. Let us pray for all those in authority, for all those who run for office, and of every affiliation.
“For let us consider, that they who blesses their enemy, blesses themselves, they who curse their enemy curse themselves, and they who prays for their enemy, prays not for them, but for themselves. If we do this, we will be able to reduce to practice this excellent virtue, and obtain the promised blessings, through the grace and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – St. John Chrysostom
Prayer
God, you alone are the source of all power and grace. Still the anxiety and fear that we are feeling in these days leading up to the election. Give us courage and inspire us towards new paths of reconciliation. Help us and all our leaders to work for peace, to care for the sick and the poor, to care for all that You have created, especially the environment. Help us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with You. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.