With her permission, this is a prayer my wife typed out for me one day. It’s a good prayer for any Christian to pray for himself, herself, or whoever else, and especially for all Christians to pray for those whose calling involves regularly proclaiming the gospel. I hope it encourages others as it encourages me. What’s most encouraging is that it comes straight from 2 Timothy. (It might be helpful to read the verses for each reference as you read though the prayer below.)
—
Dave, I don’t pray for you as I ought to. Sometimes, especially when you are discouraged, I don’t know what to say to you, nor how to pray for you. As I read through 2 Timothy tonight, I listed in my journal ways to pray for you, as Paul encouraged Timothy.
- I pray that you would fan into flame your gifts with courage, love, and self-control (1:6-7).
- I pray that you would not be ashamed of the Gospel, but rather suffer for it by God’s power, the same power that saved you (1:8-12).
- I pray that you would be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1).
- I pray that you would pass the Gospel on to faithful men who will then teach others (2:2).
- I pray that you would share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2:3).
- I pray that you would have a single-minded desire to please God (2:4).
- I pray that you would obey God’s rules in order to succeed (2:5).
- I pray that you would work hard, holding to the promise of blessing (2:6).
- I pray that you (especially in times of suffering) would think and meditate on these things (#5-7), knowing that God will give you understanding (2:7).
- I pray that you would remember the Gospel, namely Jesus Christ, the One who is risen from the dead (2:8).
- I pray that you would be moved to endurance by the truths of the Gospel (2:10-13).
- I pray that you would zealously pursue God’s approval by correctly handling Scripture (2:15).
- I pray that you would avoid irreverent babble (2:16).
- I pray that you would flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2:22).
- I pray that you would avoid foolish and ignorant controversies; rather than being quarrelsome, I pray that you would be kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently endure evil, and correct opponents with gentleness, for some might repent (2:23-24).
- I pray that you will understand that there will be times of difficulty with sinful people who have an external appearance of godliness yet deny the Gospel; I pray that you would avoid these people (3:1-9)
- I pray that, despite persecution, you would continue in what you’ve learned in Scripture, knowing that it is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. I pray that you would be competent and equipped for every good work (3:10-17).
- I pray that you would preach the word, in season and out of season. I pray that you would reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching―especially in a time when people won’t endure sound teaching but rather find teachers who suit their own fancy and wander form truth to myths (4:1-4).
- I pray that you would always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry (4:5).
- I pray that you would be encouraged by Paul’s example of one who has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and received a crown of righteousness (4:6-8).
- I pray that the Lord be with your spirit. I pray that grace be with you (4:22).
Amen.
About David Huffstutler
David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, serves as a chaplain for his local police department, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a Ph. D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.
