Fervently Pray

I. The Command to Pray

A. Priority

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

B. Kinds of Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

Entreaties - focus on the need of a person

Prayers - focus on God Himself

Petition - present to an authority on someones behalf

Thanksgiving -

C. Target

1 Timothy 2:2 NASB95

2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Even if you are being persecuted by leaders.

Matthew 5:43–44 NASB95

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Stephen is an example of this.

II. Purpose of Prayer

A. Peaceful Living

1 Timothy 2:2 NASB95

2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

B. Godly Living

1 Timothy 2:2 NASB95

2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

III. The Evaluation of Prayer

A. Moral Evaluation

1 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

good - morally right, beautiful, attractive

B. Personal Evaluation

1 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

acceptable - to give applause, to heartily welcome.

IV. The Passion of Prayer

A. God’s Passion

1 Timothy 2:4 NASB95

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The Pastoral Epistles 5. The Ordering of Public Worship (2:1–15)

In affirming the universal scope of God’s will to save he was probably conscious of taking issue with (a) the Jewish belief that God willed the destruction of sinners and the salvation of the righteous alone, and (b) the Gnostic theory that salvation belonged to the spiritual élite alone.

B. The Scope of God’s Passion

1 Timothy 2:4 NASB95

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

C. The Focus of God’s Passion

1 Timothy 2:4 NASB95

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

knowledge - deep, full, rich knowledge.