Who Is Called To Pray?

Have you ever wondered what role prayer is supposed to have in the life of a believer? Are we all called to pray or is this a gift that just some people have? Why does it seem that prayer comes so naturally to some and not to others and what does the bible have to say about the importance of prayer?

Many in the body of Christ have asked these questions and even wondered how you know if you are even called to pray. In this article, we will discuss the biblical view of prayer and what the New Testament has to say about it.

Are all called to pray or just a few?
In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul says, “I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” This exhortation was an instruction to Timothy revealing how all believers at the church of Ephesus were called to pray and why it was important that they do.

It is clear that the responsibility to pray is not just designated to a few or people who appear to have a gift to pray. As the body of Christ, we are all called to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and a giving of thanks on behalf of all men. The prayer for all men in this passage means all those in authority, which would include: government and civic leaders, employers, teachers, parents, church leaders, etc. This scripture purposely does not distinguish between those who are saved verses non-saved. In fact, all men would include every sphere of influence we encounter in our daily relationships such as: marriage, family, friends, colleagues, co-workers, and neighbors. If we look carefully, there is an important promise Paul is revealing to Timothy. It has to do with being willing to take up the mandate to pray. Contained within the exhortation to pray on behalf of all men is a conditional promise that God will release the blessing of a quiet and peaceable life for believers in response to our faithful prayers.

How do I begin?
You may say, but I don’t know what to pray. There are others who are so much better at it; I’ll let them pray! Although it is true that there are those in the body of Christ who have a special call to prayer, this does not negate the mandate that God has given to all believers. For those of you who are not confident in your ability to pray effectively, let me say that prayer really begins with us having a conversation with God. It is not about how great your prayers sound. It is about communicating your heart to your heavenly Father. As we get more experienced in spending time with the Lord, He in turn will give you a sensing to pray for something that is on His heart. This is what we call a prayer burden. When you have a burden to pray, it is also much easier to come up with the words to articulate in prayer. The heart of the Lord is always delighted when we are willing to pray those things that are on His heart. How he longs to partner with us and move in response to our prayers when we are a willing vessel.

How then should we pray?
If all of us are called to pray on behalf of all men, how then should we pray? Again Paul clarifies this in 1Timothy 2: 1-2 by listing several forms of prayer: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and a giving of thanks. Each of these areas reveals a facet of the Father’s heart toward us in our relating with him and the attitudes he desires us to develop in us through prayer. For a moment, let’s take a quick look at these four areas of prayer.

Prayer is the vehicle in which we communicate with our heavenly Father. It is His desire that we express our heart to Him concerning all the issues we encounter in life. This was the Father’s original intention with Adam and Eve. They even had a special meeting time arranged. God would meet with them in the cool of the evening to talk and fellowship together. This communion time was so precious to the Father that Jesus actually died to restore this fellowship. With this in mind, when we feel a concern for someone we are encouraged to converse with our heavenly Father about these things as part of our fellowship time with Him. In doing so, we gain His wisdom, perspective and even a better understanding of how to pray His heart over a matter.

Supplication means to request or ask. God’s heart toward us is whenever we see a need in the lives of others or have a need ourselves; we are to bring these requests before Him. God wants us to see Him as the source of our supply and provision rather than relying on others or ourselves. He wants to be the primary resource even though He may utilize others in meeting that need. This includes our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs or when we encounter situations or trials that overwhelm us. God desires that we see Him as our strength and refuge, even in our concern for others. The fuller meaning of the word supplication also goes beyond making an initial request. There is a type of intense prayer involved here that fully transfers the burden of a person’s soul into the hands of the Lord. As that burden is released to God, no anxious thought can remain. Peace then comes, to quiet and guard a person’s heart and mind, as promised in Philippians 4: 6-7.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Intercession means to petition God on behalf of another person or to legislate. When we see things happening that are not right, this is the place where the Lord wants us to utilize our authority in Christ that was purchased with Jesus’ own blood. Our position in Christ now affords us the authority to declare the Word of God over situations and circumstances in defeating the enemy’s wicked schemes. This is one way we can intercede on behalf of others. For example, when someone is experiencing fear. The bible says that we are not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1: 7). This scripture can be used to declare God’s will over someone’s life as a way of disarming the enemy. Declaring the Word or known will of the Lord is a powerful tool in dismantling the enemy’s lies. In addition, we now have access to petition the Father to intervene on behalf of an injustice done. Petitioning the Lord’s divine intervention concerning a person or situation is another way we can intercede. Intercession is such an amazing tool that the Lord uses to develop His character and burden in our hearts for the things He cares about the most—man’s salvation and complete deliverance.

A Giving of thanks means that alongside of our prayers, we are to express an attitude of gratitude for God’s grace and mercy toward all men. The secret to praying effectively for leaders has to do with having the proper attitude toward them. God is the one who sets people into positions of authority and he is also the one who can remove them. Because this is by God’s design, receiving these people with an attitude of gratefulness means we also accept God’s ordering of things. Our job is not to decide whom God should set into position, but to pray for those he has. Having an attitude of gratefulness releases a greater ability to know God’s heart in releasing prayers concerning them.

Why pray?
These days with all the pressures and cares of the world buffeting us, it is important to take up the mandate to become a people of prayer. We not only need to pray for each other, but also for those in authority over us. Leaders are especially under fire these days and very much in need of our prayers. Prayer may not be your primary ministry expression, however the scriptures make it clear that all believers are called to pray and as we have learned in first Timothy, this to be made on behalf of all men. What an opportunity for the body of Christ to unite together in defeating the enemy’s schemes and witness a greater release of God’s kingdom purposes. If we were to listen to what burdens God carries in His heart. I believe that the pulsating sound of heaven would resonate with a heart beating in compassion for the lost as well as a passion to see His church reflect in the earth the transforming power of the cross.

We may not always know what specifically to pray, but we can always pray general prayers of blessing, protection, and wisdom in making decisions as well as salvation for those in authority who do not know the Lord. It is easy to see that when God answers those types of prayers that the fruit borne will be one of seeing our communities transformed by the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of quiet and peaceable lives. This is His promise to us as believers when we partner together with him to pray on behalf of all men!