Question: On a recent Sunday, my pastor prayed for Hillary’s health....

Question: On a recent Sunday, my pastor prayed for Hillary’s health. I am wondering if we should pray for an unbeliever’s health. I know we pray for their salvation, but for their health?

Response: We know that if Hillary (or anyone else) is elected, we have a clear admonition to pray for her. Paul writes in 1 Timothy:2:1-8 [1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. [8] I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
See All..., “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

If the Lord’s motive for this is that He “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” then we can understand that they first of all must be living to be saved and that would necessarily involve the Lord sustaining their health until salvation might come. And we know that the Lord is the one who has determined the number of days accounted to anyone (Job:14:6-7 [6] Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. [7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
See All...).

It is clear that the grace of God far exceeds ours. Knowing the corruption and injustice of a political candidate would not naturally make us wish the best for the individual. But that should not be our heart. In Romans:2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
See All..., Paul asks, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Also, even in “imprecatory” psalms (Psalms 7,35,55,58,59,69,109, and 139, for example), where David called for God to judge nations and individuals, he leaves the response and result to God. David clearly desires for God deal with the injustice and the unjust person promptly and with that which the crime deserves.

Finally, though there is no direct mention of praying for the healing of unbelievers, we know what the Lord Jesus admonished in Matthew:5:44-45 [44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
See All...: “....Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”