1 TIMOTHY 2:1-8
WHY PRAY?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
1 I urge, then, first of all, that
requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—
pray for all men.
Note: this is an exhortation to pray, which means that it
is both an encouragement
and a charge.
1. There is "supplication". This
refers to the prayers that focus upon special needs.
2.
There are
"prayers". This refers to the special times of prayer that we set aside for
devotion and worship.
3. There are "intercessions".
This refers to bold praying; standing before God in behalf of another person.
4. There is
"thanksgiving". This means that we thank God for hearing and answering—thank Him
for what He has done
and is going
to do for all men.
1 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
2 for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness.
Prayer—
Civil Authorities: pray
for civil authorities, for kings and for all who are in authority.
There are
two reasons why we are to pray for rulers.
1. We
pray for rulers so that we can lead quiet
and peaceable
lives.
2. We must pray for rulers so that we
can live godly
and sincere
lives.
3 This is good, and pleases God our
Savior, 4 who wants all men to be
saved and to come to a 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 as
a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its 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 teacher of
the true faith to the Gentiles.
Jesus
Christ, Mediator— Prayer— Salvation— Ransom— Redemption: pray for all men to be saved, both rulers and
citizens, both high and low. There are five reasons given why we are to pray
for the salvation of all men, including all rulers.
1. First,
God is our Savior
and He wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Note
the words "the knowledge of the truth." What is truth? It is what
God wants man to know?
2. Second,
there is only one God.
3. There is only one mediator between God and men.
4. The man
Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all. The word "ransom" means
to exchange something for something else.
5.
Appointed to
proclaim the salvation of God.
1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV)
8 I want men everywhere to lift up
holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Prayer: pray everywhere and pray in the right spirit.
1. He is to pray "lifting up holy hands".
2. He is to pray without anger or feelings in
his heart against someone
else. Very simply...
3. He
is to pray without doubting.