Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:1-8, is encouraging Timothy and instructing him about prayer.
Priority. He begins with “First of all.” Prayer is Priority Number One. As we serve Him, we struggle with our priorities. Many churches have replaced prayer with plans, focused on the quality of praise and worship rather than on prayer, and replaced the power of God with programs. Programs are good but not the priority. They are tools to be used, not the ministry focus. God’s preference is that prayer would be our first priority.
Intimacy. Vance Pitman said, “The primary call of my life is not ministry but intimacy.” We need to keep alive our intimacy with our Saviour, which comes through prayer and the study of His word. We live a quiet life with the purpose of being near to God.
Urgency. Paul says, “I urge you” (v.1). Romans 12:1-2 uses the same word. Beseech. Plead. Beg. Urge… that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people. Each has a different twist.
Supplications: Supplications imply urgency. Pray urgently. Seek His face. Cry out to God. When have you last prayed for your unsaved relations with urgency?
Prayers: Prayers imply desperation—desperate for his guidance, leading, victory. Apart from Him I can do nothing of eternal value for God. Too often we think we can do it on our own. We often fail to have that sense of desperation and urgency that God needs to intervene in our situation.
Intercessions: Intercession implies praying passionately. Come to Him on behalf of others. Many churches, due to legalism or other reasons, are not passionate. When the Spirit revives you, there is passion. We should be passionate about praying for those who don’t know Jesus. What unsaved friends do you have that need your passionate prayers?
Expectantly. We need to pray expectantly and with thanksgiving that God has heard us and is going to do something. Children pray thinking God will; adults pray thinking God might. God can do anything when it fits with His purposes. Prayer is not always answered, but still we must pray expectantly. God’s plan is better than my plan and His answer better than my question.
Corporately. Prayer is not always private and secret. The sanctuary is Center Street’s closet. The NT commands us to pray together. Most of Jesus’ talks about prayer were about praying together. We need to pray with one another, hearing one another’s hearts.
The Purpose of prayer is evangelism. The purpose of a peaceful life (v.2) is not to be at peace but to win people to Jesus. That is why we are here. To understand his purposes and honor him by doing them. We can’t win people in heaven. Only here. The purpose is gospel ministry. God desires that all people should be saved (v.4). Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Be people of prayer. We go into a mission field where people desperately need Jesus. If you know Him, are you a prayer warrior? The kind that we talked about today? Do you want to see the glory of God move? Do you pray for a person when they ask, right then and there? Are you interested in developing that intimacy with God, or just serving? Serving is easy. Intimacy is difficult. Seek the face of God before you seek His hand. Engage in conversation with God in prayer. Don’t just talk. Listen. Make every place a place of prayer.
Be a prayer warrior. Be obedient to His invitation.