MAY 25

Praying for All Men

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-6

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Today, as I’m writing this, it is voting day in Oregon.  Laura and I read through the Voter’s Pamphlet, made our choices, and this morning I deposited our mail-in ballots in the country drop box.  It’s a great privilege to live in a free country, where we have the right to vote for candidates and various measures.  But let me suggest to you that when it comes to influencing our society for good, we believers have been blessed with something far more powerful and effective than our right to vote.

The Apostle Paul wrote 1st Timothy sometimes between AD 62 and 64 (during the reign of evil emperor Nero).  The book details Paul’s instructions to the young pastor, his child in the faith, to assist him in his pastoral ministry in Ephesus.  A key passage is 1 Timothy 3:14b-15, “But I am writing these things to you so that…you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Note the priority given to the matter of prayer–” First of all” Paul said.  The importance and priority of prayer is likewise emphasized in the call to varied kinds of prayer to fit varied needs and situations. –”supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.”  Such prayers are to be offered both for all people and for the kings and those in high positions.  We are given the reason for which we are to pray–”that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2), the sense being that God will work through the prayers of His people to bring real change, such that they might experience peace within and without, and that they might be rightly oriented towards God (godliness) and others (dignity).  We should note here that we should not expect these kinds of results, and in fact should anticipate the opposite, if we neglect to pray as we should.

Paul spoke of this devotion to prayer as a matter of first importance, and he did so in the context of that which precedes–” First of all, then” (1 Timothy 2:1).  To what was he referring?  He had just spoken of the need for Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).  We are at war!  The long war against God and His children rages on.  It is a war for souls.  “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood…(but) against the spiritual forces in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  To fight in this spiritual battle with human weapons is akin to what Peter did when he whacked off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:5).  In prayer we possess a divinely powerful weapon through which God can work to change hearts and save souls.

And that’s the chief concern here in this passage.  From its birth until the day it is raptured to heaven, the chief concern of the church is bearing witness to the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:14b-15).  In fact, God is even now withholding judgment “not wishing that any perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  We see the same thing here.  We are exhorted to pray “for all people” because “God our Savior…desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:1,4).  So, we pray, according to that which God desires.  And that’s a challenge for me.  It’s easy to get upset or angry or anxious or vindictive over some of the things we see happening in our country and world today.  But such attitudes are contrary to who we are as believers and what we’ve been called to do.  Sadly, the situation is as Ralph Earle has said, “The failure of the church to pray in accordance with this exhortation is one of its great sins today.”  But it doesn’t have to stay that way because you’ve the freedom to pray.  Lost souls need salvation.  The saved need sanctification.  Our best response always is to pray.  Lord grant to us a heart of devotion to prayer!

“Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!” – J. C. Ryle

TO BE GOD’S PEOPLE

Almighty Father give us a vision
Of a dying world that needs Your love and care
We see the need the yearning for a Savior
In Jesus’ name grant this our prayer

Chorus
To be God’s people in this place
Live His goodness share His grace
Proclaim God’s mercy through His Son
Be His love to ev’ryone

And when we falter be Thou our comfort
Guide us as Your children that our lives may be
A beacon in this darkness that surrounds us
A light that others then may see

Text and music: Charles F. Brown; c 1974 Word Music

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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