1 Timothy 2:1-8 “THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER”

Many a pastor have pointed it out that the least attended church meeting is the prayer meeting. So unfortunate that even the church ministers hardly show up for them!

The priority of prayer (vs 1).

“First of all,” indicates that prayer is most important in the public worship of the church. It is sad to see how prayer has lost importance in many churches.

Truth is, for church, “Much prayer = much power! No prayer = no power!” Prayer was as much a part of the apostolic ministry as preaching the Word (Acts 6:4….).

The variety of prayer (vs 1).

There are at least seven different Greek nouns for “prayer,” and four of them are used here. Supplications carries the idea of “offering a request for a felt need.”

Prayers is the commonest term for this activity, and it emphasizes the sacredness of prayer.

“Prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving” are a part of Paul’s formula for God’s peace in our hearts (Phil. 4:6). It is worth noting that Daniel, the great prayer-warrior, practiced this kind of praying (Dan. 6:10-11).

The objects of prayer (vs 1-2).

“All men” makes it clear that no person on earth is outside the influence of believing prayer. This means we should pray for the unsaved and the saved, for people near us and people far away, for enemies as well as friends.

The reasons for prayer (vss. 3-4).

Certainly, prayer of itself is a goodly practice, and brings with it many good benefits. But prayer is also pleasing to the Lord. It pleases the Father when His children pray as He has commanded them to.

The basis for prayer (vss. 5-7).

Many believers do not realize that prayer is based on the work of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Mediator. As the God-Man, Jesus Christ is the perfect Mediator between the holy God and His failing children.

The attitude in prayer (vs. 8).

Effective praying, demands that I be in a right relationship with God (“holy hands”) and with my fellow believers (“without murmurings and disputings”).