In 1 Timothy 2, Paul gives Timothy a striking instruction: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:1).

“First of all” speaks of priority. Before Paul discusses church leadership, false teaching, or public worship, he calls God’s people to prayer.

Notice also the breadth of these prayers. They are not limited to our own needs, our local church, or even our own denomination. We are to pray “for everyone,” including “kings and all who are in high positions.” Why? Because prayer reflects the heart of God himself. Paul continues, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (vv.3–4).

Prayer, gospel proclamation, and God’s compassion belong together. We pray because Christ “gave himself as a ransom for all” (v.6), and because God longs for men and women everywhere to hear the good news of his Son.

That gives us a healthy agenda for prayer in New Zealand. We certainly pray for revival, for the faithful preaching of God’s Word, and for the strengthening of our churches. But Scripture also teaches us to pray for the wider life of our nation—for those in government, education, health, business, justice, and every sphere of society. Like the exiles in Jeremiah’s day, we seek the welfare of the place where God has put us (Jeremiah 29:7), praying that our nation may enjoy peace and stability so that the gospel may continue to flourish.

Aotearoa New Zealand Prayer Breakfasts

This vision lies behind the Aotearoa New Zealand Prayer Breakfasts taking place around the country annually. These Prayer Breakfasts are organised in partnership with NZ Christian Network and key regional Church and Christian leaders. Believers from many churches, ethnicities, and denominations come together, not to advance one denomination or ministry, but to seek God’s blessing on our communities and nation.

Pray As One

It is also the vision behind Pray As One, the New Zealand Christian Network’s weekly online prayer gathering. Every Monday evening from 8.00–9.00 pm, believers from across Aotearoa gather on Zoom to pray for our nation. Each week we hear from a guest who helps shape our prayers before we divide into small groups to pray together. We pray for our regions, for Christian ministries, for our political leaders, and above all that God would bring many people to the knowledge of the truth through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The disciples once asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” That remains the prayer of every generation. May God continue to teach us to pray—not only for ourselves, but for our nation and for the advance of his gospel.

Author: Dr Malcolm Falloon

Malcolm is an Anglican minister with over thirty years’ experience in pastoral ministry. He currently pastors Church of the Ascension in Auckland, which is affiliated with the Church of Confessing Anglicans. Through his work with the Latimer Fellowship (an evangelical society within the Anglican Church), he has experience in connecting leaders together for mutual encouragement and support in the Gospel. Malcolm is a keen student of New Zealand mission history, and has a PhD specialising in the Māori conversion to Christianity.