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When a family member or dear friend is having a hard time, we typically find the time to pray for him or her.

Why? Because we love him or her, we want the situation to improve, we know that God has the ability to bring about changes and provide inner strength so desperately needed.

But what about when hard times are faced by people we barely know? By people we perhaps wish we didn’t know?

Intercessory prayer is not to be a matter of nurturing a buddy list.

It is, instead, to be a matter of seeking God’s intervention into the lives of those around us in order for them to experience better lives.

Even more, prayer is the opportunity for us to thank God for all the people in our lives, not just our family and friends.

This is not my invented philosophy. This is the command of God.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” (I Timothy 2:1)

The Apostle Paul had plenty of people who hated him and wanted him dead.

He had even more people who didn’t like him and didn’t care if anything good happened to him.

Yet, Paul prayed for God to help them all. He prayed that pagan government employees would sense God’s leading and do the right things to protect society.

I’m sure that he thanked God for the opportunity to display his faith in ways that helped others and glorified God.

And so should we.

Let’s make sure that everybody in our corner of the world — yes, even that person who doesn’t like us — is lifted up in positive, intercessory prayer. Let’s ask God to help them.

And even if we have to tell our prideful nature to “Cease, be still,” let’s give thanks for those who give us grief.

One other thing….

This isn’t to happen only when we feel like it.

This is to be job #1, Paul said.

Wow.

I’d better get to praying…..

As always, I love you
Martin

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