1 Timothy 2 - Do You Spend More Time Complaining About the Government Or Praying for It?

1 Timothy 2 - NIV


Instructions on Worship
2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Paul teaches Timothy put a priority on prayer in the church of Ephesus. There are lots of things we can do at church, lots of programs, but at the heart of any church is prayer. Paul lists four types of prayer. 

Petitions/Supplications - As the name suggests, petitions are strong pleas offered up to God for Him to supply or provide for our urgent, personal needs. They are specific in nature. 

Prayers - This is a broad term for approaching God. They are general prayers offered to God in worship and adoration. In our church we call them "the prayers of the people". 

Intercessions -  "Standing in the gap to plead, mediate, or petition God on behalf of the spiritual growth, well-being, or salvation of others." (Berean Bible Society)

Thanksgiving - This is something we often forget. Before we ask God for something in the future, we should be grateful for what He has given us on the past. It reminds us God is faithful. It reminds us that God may not always grant our request, in our time, but always in His time! Being grateful puts us in a good position to all participate in all three kinds of these prayers. 

Our prayers should be for all people, not just family and friends in the church. Paul even admonishes them to pray for kings and others in authority. They changes our heart toward and gives us the right attitude, as we interact with people in the world. As we pray for the world, we develop a heart for the world. This is the same heart God has for the world, as we know from John 3:16. "For God so loved the WORLD that He gave us His only Son!"

This is also a seque to Paul's statement that "God doesn't want anyone to perish but all people to come to a knowledge of the truth." God cares for everyone who He has created in His own image. All people are designed to know and worship Him. Lost people matter to God, and they should matter to us. Again evangelism doesn't start with a program, but in the prayer room of the church. 

Paul reiterates that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. This reiterates a truth that the world doesn't like. Jesus is the only way to God. Paul says there is "one mediator". All roads do not lead to God! There is one road, one way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!" John 14:6. 

This isn't something the bible is vague about. Either it is true or not true. You can't have it both ways. Either there is one mediator or not. 

Bottom line is that we need to be a people of God praying on all occasions, for all situations, and all people everywhere! 

How can you improve your prayer life? Do you have a time for interceding for the things that God wants to see happening on the earth? Do you spend more time complaining about the government, or praying for it? 

Jesus we thank you for giving us the gift of prayer. We can talk to the Father throutgh You in the power of the Holy Spirit! Amen. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 3 - Alien Righteousness

Romans 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Righteousness Through Faith 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. These are some of the most important verses written by Paul in all of scripture. Paul has shown why no person could hope to be made right with G...
Read more

Revelation 1 - John's Vision of Jesus

  Click Here to Read or Listen to Revelation 1 Today we start reading one of the most exciting, enigmatic, and complicated books of the bible. The Revelation of Jesus to Saint John on the island of Patmos. I have read this gospel and written about it several times, and I still feel like there is so much of it I don't understand. As with any book of the bible, the context of when it was written and to who is of paramount importance.  Here are some background links from notable commentaries on the book of Revelation. It would be really helpful if you read them before we start reading through John's letter. Actually you might not think, but the Wikipedia link is very helpful and well written too.  Insight for Living Commentary Got Questions Overview Wikipedia One of the challenges we will face as we go through this book together is that on one hand this book is written to the seven churches in Asia who are facing persecution. And, it is also a "revelation" or an unveilin...
Read more

Matthew 18:6-9 Causing to Stumble

Causing to Stumble 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Reflection: Matthew reminds us today that we don't live only unto ourselves. Our actions have repercussions on others either directly or indirectly. This is especially true for children and youth, who are impressionable. I still remember when I was...
Read more