1st Timothy 2:1. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men:” I EXHORT. This is important – it must be mentioned Give serious heed – this demands your attention Stop what you are doing – I must exhort What I am about to say is of serious import.
Get this right – the order is important God must come first, not in some secondary compartment Make your counsel with Him before engaging in action – So all your attempts will be to His satisfaction.
Pray over things and ask what you will. Even when unsure, continue in prayer till You know you have God’s answer – “yes,” “no,” or “later.” And then you rest in confidence in your Mediator.
Pray over people by making intercessions – Bring to God their names and unique situations. Intercession works – I know people who are praying for me. Some, I know by their faces – others I have never seen.
When praying, always be thankful Both the big things and those that come by the handfuls Of purpose that through His people, God gives – Count your blessings each day that you live.
Don’t leave things out; try to be specific. Prayer is a vital part of making your life an epic – Even when some generalities you pray in part - Commit yourself to prayer that comes from your heart.
“O Gracious Father: I have to confess that my prayers are often a response to what is already happening around me. I am asking this morning for more foresight that I might be more effective in joining in fellowship with what Thou art doing and about to do. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The sacred act of communicating with God is what is involved in supplications and prayers. Its subjects put into words the nature of Gospel-praying with supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks. We are putting into words those things that are relevant to what is going on around us. When we present an issue, or a person or persons to God in specific terms, we are making intercession as those who take the part of others or are mediating in a matter. Our response to any act of God should be that of thanksgiving and gratitude for any benefit that has come from His gracious hand. So, there is priority in prayer and there is also variety in prayer. There are at least seven Greek nouns for “prayer.” Four are here. Supplications: offering a request for a felt need; prayers: emphasis is on the sacredness of prayer: worship, reverence, attitude. Then there are Intercessions: the same word is in 1Tim.4:5, referring to blessing food. Petitions are really what it means here. "To draw near to a person and converse confidently with him.” That is, enjoying fellowship and confidence with God as we pray. Giving of thanks: for answers; for who God is; for what He does; for His grace is the normal and expected response.
ORDER IN WARFARE. 1Timothy 2:1. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
The PRIORITY of prayer: there were those who were turning away, and their influence couldn’t be denied. For the servant of the Lord, we understand such a situation as a battle in the war for the souls of men. Our first priority then is that our eyes and heart, our voice and choice, our will and work be directed by the Lord Himself. The VARIETY of prayer: the desire to be expressed must be specific. A supplication is not some general statement but a known and felt need that can and should be expressed in words. Prayers involve the act of communicating with God. It is not a plan or scheme of my own to face the problem, but a willingness to face my own inadequacy. Intercession has faces and names attached to the words I am saying. It is prayers with names on them. It involves me in the needs of others without my putting my nose where it shouldn’t be. Giving thanks reminds me that there are reasons to be thankful in every situation if I am willing to stop and think – and then thank God for the reason for thanks.
The OBJECTS of prayer: people, leaders, government authorities, medical workers – anyone who is ministering to us in some way, is in need of our attention. We may need to spend some time considering details, too, because we are affected by many different aspects of the lives of others. Our own life and its conduct need to be clarified in prayer before the Lord to keep us from shabby and careless living. The salvation of souls is always in order for our prayerful interest. The REASONS for prayer: people will be lost if there is no interest shown in their souls’ salvation. The knowledge of the truth is not only needed for salvation but for the practice and conduct of life after salvation.
The BASIS of prayer: The Person who makes prayer possible is the Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ, who makes our feeble attempts at coherence in prayer an acceptable appeal to God, who hears and answers prayer. We can be assured that our attempts to say what we mean are skillfully filled in appropriately by our Mediator-Intercessor. The ATTITUDE in prayer: holy hands that are undefiled by attempts to get ahead that are unclean; hands that have been involved in any unclean activity that cannot stand the test of morality and righteousness; need to be able to be held, face up, to the scrutiny of God. More than that, the inner person is open to the same scrutiny when I pray. So, if the attitude is wrong toward others or even toward God, that hinders the prayers I might make.
“O Thou that hearest prayer; to Thee shall all flesh come.” “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” “Heirs together of the grace of life, that thy prayers be not hindered.”
“What can I say, O Father, except: I know I cannot hide from Thee. Thou knowest my thoughts afar off. Help me to be an effective “pray-er.” In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”