236. For whom should we pray?
We should pray for ourselves and for all other people, even for our enemies.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 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.
Matthew 5:44 Pray for those who persecute you.
Read Luke 18:13, about the tax collector who prayed for himself; Genesis 18:23-32, about how Abraham prayed for Sodom; Matthew 15:22-28, about the Canaanite woman who prayed for her daughter; Luke 23:34, about how Jesus prayed for His enemies; and Acts 7:60, about Stephen praying for his enemies.
In Scripture, we have no command or encouragement to pray for the dead (see Hebrews 9:27). Those who die in Christ do not need our prayers. Those who die apart from Christ cannot be helped by our prayers.
Eventual commentary
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