1 Timothy 2:1-8 Godly Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-8 Godly Prayer

For the next two weeks, I want to talk about two subjects. Many people take this chapter and divide it between the roles of men and women. That is possible. However, I would rather address the two major themes in this chapter. The two themes which Paul addresses are essential for a proper Christian life. There is the personal devotion made through prayer. There is also the public devotion made through submission.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-8, the way Paul addresses these two themes is in the roles of men and women in the church. We must not look at these two themes as mutually exclusive. By that I mean that men are not the only ones who learn to pray and women are not the only ones who learn how to submit. In Paul’s specific situation, he instructs men to pray for everyone because they were not praying for everyone. He instructs women to dress modestly, and behave in way that would destroy the work for the church. If the men are not praying, then the church is going to be in trouble. Men tend to want to DO things and prayer doesn’t fit our male model of work. So a man learns submission by praying.

A woman also wants to volunteer and get work done. She wants to do what a man does, and in today’s world she can. However, there are times when she has to learn her form of submission. We will talk more about that next week. Today, let’s concentrate on how men can submit and show devotion to God through prayer.

THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER – (1 Timothy 2:1)

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,” (1 Timothy 2:1, NKJV)

Members of the church members need to be prepared to pray. Our hearts must be right with God and with each other. We must really want to pray, and not pray simply to please people, or to fulfill a religious duty. When a local church ceases to depend on prayer, God ceases to bless its ministry¹. The phrase “first of all” (prōton pantōn) could indicate something that is first in a series or first in importance².

THE VARIETY OF PRAYER (1 Timothy 2:1)

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, HCSB)

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,” (1 Timothy 2:1, NKJV)

FOUR KINDS OF PRAYER

The Bible lists here what I call “SPIT” prayers.

Supplications – this kind of prayer when we plea to “offer a request for a felt need.”

Prayers (Petitions) – this kind of prayer is a reverent petition to God. When we say prayers, we mean that we are spending our time with God. When we say prayers, they are sacred words. We don’t just throw up words and hope that God listens. We come to Someone whom we respect. Just as you give respect as you petition the court or ruling authority for help on your behalf, we need to come to God with respect. We don’t just flippantly call to the Man Upstairs. We give God the respect that is due Him.

Intercessions – this kind of prayer is also used later in 1 Timothy.

“for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:5, NKJV)

In this case, the prayer is when we say prayer before our meal. We are coming to someone who we know can answer our request. So we pray to God like a King, and we pray with the confidence that God is going to answer. We pray for someone else who needs God’s help. The “inter” and “cede” means that someone comes between God and the need and prays for that person.

Thanksgiving – This is the prayer of thanks to God for what He has done. We express our gratitude and appreciation for what He has done.

PRAYER: Let’s take some time and try each of these prayers.

THE OBJECTS OF PRAYER (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

“…be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, HCSB)

We are to pray for kings and even for presidents because they are in positions of authority only by the predetermined counsel of God.

No wonder he decreed that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1). He was, after all, Caesar Augustus—Caesar, the “august one,” Caesar, “the highest.” But wait a minute. While Caesar Augustus was breaking campaign promises and raising taxes, what was really going on? Carrying the Messiah in her womb, Mary resided in Nazareth. Yet hundreds of years previously, the prophet Micah had declared that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Therefore, Mary and Joseph set out on the difficult and dangerous journey from Nazareth in the north to Bethlehem in the south not in response to an edict from Caesar, the “august one”—but in obedience to God, the Almighty One.

What if we looked at politics today believing that it is God who is truly on the throne? Wouldn’t that be a radical concept for Christians? Yes, we have a responsibility to pray and to make supplications. But we are also to give thanks for all men no matter what side of the political spectrum they represent, for all rulers are used by God to fulfill prophecy and to accomplish His will ultimately³.

PRAYER: Let’s pray for those who are in authority.

THE REASONS FOR PRAYER (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4, HCSB)

It’s often said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.We can pray for “all men” because it is God’s will that “all men” come to the knowledge of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ⁴.

Prayer is a good thing. Praying for the lost is something that pleases God. We want to be men who pray for other people and especially the lost because God loves the lost. Prayer shows our love for both the Father and the lost.

The Bible shows here that God wants everyone to be saved. God wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. The way that starts is when one person prays for the lost.

PRAYER: Let’s spend some time praying for the lost.

THE BASIS OF PRAYER (1 Timothy 2:5-7)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:5–7, HCSB)

THREE BASIC TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL

1. There is only one God.

2. God can only be approached through the Man who was God in the flesh, the man Christ Jesus.

3. This man gave himself as a ransom for the human race.

Paul was not teaching universalism for salvation is possible only for those who know the truth through a relationship with Jesus Christ⁵.

THREE DIFFERENT PICTURES OF SHARING THE GOSPEL⁶

1. Preacher – Herald (Announcer) for the King

2. Apostle – One sent with a special commission

3. Teacher – One who unfolds the truth to others

Prayer for the lost should lead me to go, preach, and teach to the lost.

PRAYER: Let’s spend time praying about how God wants me to be His vehicle for sharing the Gospel with the lost.

THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER (1 Timothy 2:8)

“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” (1 Timothy 2:8, HCSB)

Ultimately, prayer requires the right heart and attitude. I need to be focused when I pray. Anger and strife do not function with prayer. Prayer is a holy work, in which I submit myself to God’s listening ear. When my attitude is right, when my focus is heavenward, then God listens and responds to what I ask.

PRAYER: Let’s spend time praying in worship to God who listens to our prayers.