Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
1 Timothy 2 (ESV)
Pray for All People
2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
What worship attitudes do you want to cultivate?
Almighty God. Today I want to pray for Your church and for all people. I yearn for the opportunity to worship, sing, take communion, learn from each other around Your Word, enjoy fellowship, and pray together. I lift up Your church that You sustain it and actually grow it during this time of separation. I pray for the pastors and leaders of churches to grow in their faith, listen to Your will and to love and serve the people in the churches who are in need of hearing the message of Your forgiveness, love, and hope. Help people inside and outside of the church find the need to come back to You for mercy and grace. I lift up this country, and this world to You. I pray that You lead and protect our President. Guide him in decisions, give him Your wisdom and strength. I pray for all leaders in federal, state, and local governments, that You lead their decisions, open their eyes to the needs of the people they serve, help them work together for justice to lead in a godly and dignified way. I pray that all people are brought together, unified in prayer, without anger or quarreling. Allow people to submit to the feelings of others and to respect people in different situations. Take away the bitterness and anger that separates. Lord, I miss worship, but I am able to pray right now. I pray for a revival of Your Spirit so that we become a people that is pleasing to You. Amen