1 Timothy 2:1-4

v1: "Disciples of Christ must be a praying people" who pray for themselves, for everyone in general, and for particular people who need or want our prayers.  To help us we have the Scriptures to direct our prayers and the Spirit of prayer poured out on us.

v2: It is good to pray for those in authority.  "They need our prayers, for they face many difficulties and snares that their high positions expose them to."  Pray then, that "God will turn their hearts, directing them and using them, so that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives" under their rule and "do our duty to God and people."

v3-4: God "does not desire the death and destruction of anyone, but the... salvation of all.  Not that he has decreed the salvation of everyone, for then everyone would be saved."  Those who are saved must come to the knowledge of the truth because this is the only way to be saved.  "If any are not saved, it is not so much for lack of a will in God to save them as it is a lack of a will in people to be saved in God's way."