“First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.”
Perhaps there is no clearer summary of what our prayer life should be like, than this directive of Paul to his disciple and companion. We are asked to move from prayer for myself to prayer for others, offering gratitude for His goodness to me and asking blessings for others.
As I respond to the Spirit’s directive in my prayer I include praise, thanksgiving, and gratitude, my needs and the needs of others, seeking and offering forgiveness. There are many models of great and holy people teaching by example their way of prayer. Return to the Lord’s prayer and find all these elements in the words we recite so often, yet sometimes fleetingly. That is why Paul’s reminder today begins with ‘first of all…’