Bible Reading 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Pray for All Men
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to 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, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and Women in the Church
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
The first local church "continued steadfastly in prayers." In our last several lessons we have seen the important place of prayer in the life of the early church. It was not just a doctrine, it was a normal practice of individual and corporate Christian life. Our life as a church will only be vital and God-pleasing as we also "continue steadfastly in prayers." In our final lesson on prayer we will consider
3) What to Pray For
a) Generally
Phil. 4:6 (Amp.) - "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God."
JBP — "Don't worry over anything whatsoever; tell God EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR NEEDS in earnest and thankful PRAYER."
The believer so relates to God, that everything is deliberately and consciously shared with Him in prayer. Prayer is not an occasional "emergency measure," but an "unceasing" exposure of all of life's situations to God with the desire for His participation. This verse contains the "Divine recipe" for Christian tranquillity.
b) Specifically
i) For all men, high and low
1 Tim. 2:1-2 (Amp.) - "First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
Here we have "apostolic doctrine" concerning our responsibility as believers, to pray for "all men." One of the weaknesses of our prayer life may show up at this point. Many Christians seem unaware of this apostolic command, while others almost totally neglect it. It is our privilege and duty to pray for the "all men" for whom Christ died. "Petitions or supplications, are humble requests which one makes in the light of THIS OR THAT CONCRETE SITUATION in which God, He alone, can furnish the help that is needed. Prayers are requests for the fulfilment of NEEDS THAT ARE ALWAYS PRESENT (in contrast with supplications in specific situations): the need for more wisdom, greater dedication, etc. Intercessions speak of pleading in the INTEREST OF OTHERS, and doing this 'without holding back' in any way." In thanksgivings, we offer gratitude to God "on behalf of" all men, for His "tender mercies over all His works" (Psa. 145:9).
ii) For God's Servants
Rom. 15:30-31 (JBP) — "Now, my brothers, I am going to ask you, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the love we bear each other in the Spirit, to STAND BEHIND ME IN EARNEST PRAYER TO GOD ON MY BEHALF - that I may not fall into the hands of the unbelievers in Judea, and that the Jerusalem Christians may receive the gift I am taking to them in the spirit in which it was made."
2 Cor. 1:10-11 (JBP) — "It was God who preserved us from imminent death (dangers experienced in Asia), and it is He who also preserves us. Further, we trust Him to keep us safe in the future, and here you can JOIN IN AND HELP BY PRAYING FOR US, so that the good that is done to us IN ANSWER TO MANY PRAYERS will mean eventually that many will thank God for our preservation."
Eph. 6:19-2O (JBP) - "And PRAY FOR ME, too, that I may be able to speak freely here (in prison) to make known the secret of that gospel for which I am, so to speak, an ambassador in chains. PRAY that I may speak out about it as is my plain and obvious duty."
Col. 4:3-4 (JBP) - "INCLUDE US IN YOUR PRAYERS, please that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the gospel. PRAY that we may talk freely of the mystery of Christ (for which talking I am at present in chains) and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty."
1 Thess. 5:25 - "Brethren, PRAY FOR US."
2 Thess. 3:1-2 (JBP) - "Finally, my brothers, DO PRAY FOR US here. PRAY that the Lord's message may go forward unhindered and may bring him glory, as it has done with you. PRAY too that we may not be embroiled with bigoted and wicked men; for all men, alas, have not faith.
Heb. 13:18-19 (NIV) - "Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon."
These verses indicate two rather comprehensive things about which to pray in connection with God's servants. First, that they will be physically protected and preserved, and, second, that they will have opportunity and freedom to preach God's truth.
iii) For Each Other
Col. 4:12 (JBP) - "Epaphras, another MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH, and a real servant of Christ Jesus, sends his greeting. He works hard for you even here, for he PRAYS CONSTANTLY AND EARNESTLY FOR YOU, that you may become mature Christians, and may fulfill God's will for you."
Eph. 6:18 (JBP) - "PRAY at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you PRAY FOR ALL CHRIST'S MEN AND WOMEN."
iv) For Wisdom
James 1:5 (Amp.) - "If any of you is DEFICIENT IN WISDOM. LET HIM ASK of the giving God (who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or fault-finding, and it will be given him."
Wisdom has been variously defined. The dictionary tells us that wisdom is "the faculty of making the best use of knowledge." Dr. A.T. Robertson says that "wisdom is the right use of one's opportunities in holy living. It is living like Christ in accord with the will of God." Every Christian should want to know "God's viewpoint" on everything and see it worked out in his life. Prayer is a means toward filling in the areas of lack.
v) For Relief in Affliction
James. 5:13 (NKJV) - "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray"
Amp. - "Is any among you AFFLICTED, ILL-TREATED, SUFFERING EVIL? He should PRAY."
The word "afflicted" means, literally, "having hard experiences" and it refers to natural depression as a result of such misfortunes. "The remedy is not in despondency. The remedy lies in prayer. Let him pray as a habit (present tense of durative action). It is good to talk to God. The worry disappears in God's presence and often the very ill itself disappears. But if it does not go, He gives grace sufficient to bear the burden." Paul uses the same word for suffering hardship as a good soldier (2 Tim. 2:3,9; 4:5). Pray for relief or for the grace to endure!
vi) For Healing
James. 5:14-15 - "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them PRAY OVER HIM, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the PRAYER OF FAITH shall save the sick, and THE LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."
vii) For Consecration of Food
1 Tim. 4:4-5 (JBP) — "Everything God made is good, and is meant to be gratefully used, not despised. (The holiness or otherwise of a certain food, for instance, depends not on its nature but on whether it is eaten thankfully or not.) It is CONSECRATED by the word of God and by PRAYER."
There were religious teachers who were giving religious significance to certain kinds of food. All "God-made" foods are good and should be received with thanksgiving which is expressed in prayer. Our Lord "blessed" the bread which He "took" to "break" and "give." How we thank God for the provision of our daily bread.
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR LESSON #15