Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 1Ti 2:8
Paul's "Therefore" refers to his Christ-granted apostolic authority and based on that he desires everyone to pray (for "all men," 2:1). Do so without with your heart and without anger and without disagreeing about the need.
Seems to me he's saying we should pray for all with the right attitude toward God and man and for the right reasons. Too many people pray limiting their prayers to those we love. Even this does not show God that our attitude is right. Praying is supposed to be a heart matter – a desire to speak with and listen to the One and Only God.
On the idea of loving everyone, let me provide an example. Suppose you did not vote for the current mayor or county commissioner based on the person's politics but that she won anyway. Now what? You are to pray for her because you love that person despite your disagreement with her view of the issues.
My poorest prayers are those when my heart is not attuned to God's. If I'm not right with Him, how can there be intimacy? Heart-felt prayer?
Where is your heart this morning? Confess to Him your wrong attitude about people and pray for everyone.
Pressing on, Ed ><}}}>
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