1268) As I read 1 Timothy 2:1, I see what looks like Paul repeating himself. In this verse, he tells us how to pray for others and in his specific list he then says we are to offer “prayers” for others. It is redundant as it reads in our English translation so it’s obvious that I need to look at the original Greek word used here and it is proseuché. This word means to exchange wishes, even in a prayerful manner.

How do I decide what I wish for others? Again, this brings up the need to know, at the least extent, the object of our prayers. Yes, I can pray that someone is protected and safe, but digging deeper into others gives us an opportunity to take our eyes off our own needs and to make room for those of others.

Well-wishing takes on a whole other dimension when we pray this way.