Praying In Troublesome Times

In 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Paul instructs us to pray “first of all” (v. 1). The first thing and the most powerful thing we can do is to pray. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Paul tells us how to pray, who to pray for and why we need to pray.
 
How? Pray with “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” (v. 1).

• Supplications – This word reminds us to trust God in prayer with our every need. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus… And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, 19).
• Prayers – This is the general word for prayer and would apply to any time that we talk to God. He wants us to talk to Him always and He is always there for us to talk to. You can talk to God any time about anything. Remember to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Intercessions – This refers to speaking to God on behalf of others not just for ourselves. As James writes, “pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). This is why we keep a list of those who have asked us to pray for them.
• Thanksgiving – This is where we often fall short in prayer, but it will encourage us to pray more when we remember how good God is to us and how He has heard our prayers in the past. Thankful hearts will always remember God in thanksgiving, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

Who? Pray “for all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (vv. 1b-2a).

• For all men – We all need prayers, and every soul is precious, more valuable than the whole world (Matthew 16:26).
• Kings and all in authority – These are “appointed by God” and serve as “God’s minister to you for good… an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:1-7; cf. 1 Peter 2:13-17). Though they wield much power we pray for them to the One who is sovereign over all (Daniel 4:25; Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Timothy 6:13-16).

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Why? Pray “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (v. 2b) and for “all men to be saved” because “Jesus… gave Himself a ransom for all” (vv. 3-7).

• This is for our protection as Christians and for the progress of the gospel of Christ throughout the world. We must not take our freedoms in this country for granted but realize that they may be taken from us at any time.
• Remember that God’s desire, Christ’s sacrifice, the church’s mission, and the ultimate purpose for prayer is unto the salvation of all people for the glory of God.