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NASB | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21, 22] |
Bible Question: Please bear with me, as I am brand new to this forum and am not quite sure of even how to check if my question has already been asked. I am an 'older Christian' and have been raised and taught in the same church for 40 years. Our doctrinal statement has been the same this entire time. We have been blessed with a new pastor. He is a graduate from the Master's Seminary and I am being made aware of Biblical questions I have never thought to ask and my soul is searching for answers. I don't want to debate...I only want to learn. With this said, I came across a verse from John 17:9 that reads "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you." This is Jesus talking to His Father. Did Jesus know at that time who was His Father's and who wasn't? If Jesus didn't pray for the 'world', should we? Or should our prayer be for the elect only? Is it futile to be praying for someone to be saved when 'before the foundations of the world' they were already known. I use to hold on to that verse "God is not willing that any should perish" like a bulldog on a bone. But I am now being taught that that verse is really saying "God is not willing that any of HIS CHOSEN should perish" I can't tell you how this has changed my prayer life, my view of my heavenly father. It really has shaken my foundation. I will be grateful for any and all responses. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Sonlit! As far as John 17:9 is concerned, it is helpful to look at the context. Jesus is not praying for 'all' the elect in this prayer. He is specifically praying for the disciples. So, I would read more into this passage than it says. :-) It does not say that it is inapporpriate to pray for the world. It simply says that at that moment, Jesus was praying for His disciples, not the world. Context is always essential. For instance, you mentioned that God is not willing that any should perish. Where does the verse say anything about 'His Chosen'? I know that there are many who would like this verse to say this, but the simple fact is that it does not. :-) Should we pray for the world? John 3:16 tells us how much God loved the world. Mark 16:15 tells us to go into the world and preach the gospel. Mt. 5:14 describes us as the light of the world. John 3:17 tells us that Christ came to save the world. Given these clear statements of Scripture, I cna't imagine that God would be upset if we prayed for the world. :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |