Biblical Teaching on Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Pondering Point
The Apostle Paul is encouraging his son-in-the-faith Timothy (and those being led by Timothy) to a habit of prayer. Let it be an encouragement toward your habit of prayer also. Imagine this brief conversation between you and God:
You: God my Father, how can I please You today?
God: Pray my child; this pleases Me.
That seems straightforward. But how should we pray and what should we pray about. Drawn from the 1 Timothy 2:1-4 reading above, you will find below brief definitions of Paul’s words to describe the God-pleasing activity of praying we’re urged into:
- Petition / A request appealing to an authority with respect to a particular cause.
Prayer / A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.
Intercession / The act of intervening on behalf of another.
Thanksgiving / Expressions of gratitude, especially to God.
Prayer Prompt
Read the conversation starter a few times. Based on the Bible verses (“all people,” “those in authority”), who comes to mind for you? Write down the people (and their situations) that God brings to mind – and pray for them. This pleases our Lord .
Prayer Thoughts
Chapter 45
Authority
Paul gives us directions for a ministry of prayer: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."(1 Timothy 2:1-4).
God is concerned that we pray for “all people.” Also He expects us to pray for “all those in authority.” This may be summed up in the single word, the government. Unfortunately, I am convinced that many who claim to be committed Christians never pray seriously for the government of their nation.
Why do we want to pray for our government? Paul says: “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”…
The will of God is good government. Why does He want good government? It is easier to preach the Gospel effectively. Bad government hinders it. God has made it possible for Christians by their prayers to insure good government. Today many citizens criticize their government. Pointing fingers and blaming individuals are not the answers. The answers lie in God’s people praying for His will to be accomplished. So long as believers fail to pray, they have no right to criticize.
Got his book? Read pages 203-206 in Keep Me and Keep All, Smith.
Also check out Pastor Bob’s answer to Prayer Question #43 on page 285: “Is it true that God answers all prayers?"