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. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
It’s easy to label people as “evil,” but the truth is that most of the so-called "evil” individuals you consider in the world are spiritually blind and lost.
God desires that all men be saved (sozo) and come to the knowledge (epignosis) of the truth. Sozo means more than just salvation from hell; it refers to being healed, delivered, protected, and made whole. God’s plan of salvation provides spiritual, mental, and physical needs. The phrase come unto the knowledge of the truth or epignosis in Greek means more than intellectual understanding. The Greek word epignosis refers to full recognition—a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge of God’s truth.
When we pray for people in authority, we are called to pray for both intellectual
understanding and a deep, personal experience with God on their behalf, regardless of our personal preferences about the individual. That means we pray for them to be protected, healed, whole, and delivered from any schemes or plots the enemy may bring against them.
We also pray for their epignosis. We pray that they will gain wisdom, receive wise counsel, and develop a deep understanding of God's will and what He has conveyed in His Word.
Practical Application
Intercede daily for governmental leaders, church leaders, and other authority figures. Pray for their sozo and epignosis so they may have wisdom, protection, and God’s favor.