In the N.T we find that with regards to salvation, God desires that all men be saved (1Tim 2:4). Note that Paul does not mention that God desires to save all men. The difference in wording may seem insignificant but it is not so. In the 2nd sentence, the conjecture could be that God's will is somehow being thwarted. Yes, God desires that all men comes to repentance (2Peter 3:9). EVEN MORE SO, God commands that all men everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30). This is the heart of God all throughout. As the God of the Israelites, He says - 'All day long I stretched my hands out to a disobedient people' and yet only a remnant among them will finally be saved (Rom 9:27). God is very clear that He finally acts and that too for His Name's sake.(Eze 36:22) Even now, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. It is the church, the body of Christ.
In his prayers, Paul prays for the salvation of Israel (Rom 10:1). He urges that prayers be made on behalf of all men (I Tim 2:1). This gives us an indication as to how our prayers should be. When we pray for the salvation of people, we are not claiming souls through 'the prayer of faith', unless we are specifically lead to do so. We are beseeching the Lord of the harvest, if it so be that we could add up to the prayers of the saints, for the salvation of men. We are pleading for mercy, if perhaps repentance would be granted for life.
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