"I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
1 Timothy 2:1-2

This is as urgent and true today as it was when the Apostle Paul wrote this to Timothy. The reason he gives is that Believers may live in peace and holiness, but that is not all. Verses 3-4 tell us that it pleases God and it is His desire for all to be saved.

Verses 3-4 say,
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Concerning prayer, Scripture tells us (I know you know these verses):
"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

"Now He (Jesus) was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart." Luke 18:1

Jesus speaking to His disciples in His farewell discourse:
"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." John 16:24

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

How are we to pray?
With wholeheartedness:
"'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be fund by you,' declares the Lord..." Jeremiah 29:13-14

In faith:
"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you." Mark 11:24

In righteousness:
"...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16

In obedience:
"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight."
1 John 3:21-22

These are the conditions for successful pray. However, there is a key element we must adhere to; that is to ask aright. We find this in
1 John 5:14-15,
"And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."  (Notice: 'in His will')

How do we know what is His will? We have His written word and we have  the very Spirit of God indwelling us who knows God's will. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:26-27, "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us, with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Since Scripture tells us to pray for all, let us do so with hearts of compassion joining with God our Father who desires that none should perish!
Let us keep those individuals in our lives before the Lord, that they may come to know Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord!

Most gracious Father we thank you for this freedom we have in Christ to come to You with all our requests and prayers.  How very blessed we are to be Yours!
 Amen