Prayer that Pleases God

Prayer that Pleases God 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Prayer of All’s • Prayer First of All: Prayer as the highest priority in the good warfare for souls (see 1:18-20) • Prayer for All: In our mission to win all (2:1), we pray for all leaders (2:2), so that God’s mission for all (2:4) can extend to all (2:6) • Prayer by All: God is pleased by prayers springing from lives blessed in all ways (2:2) by all believers, especially men (2:8) Prayer of Purpose • Prayer of all Types for All People • Prayer that drives toward a purpose: “in order that we may lead” • Prayer that hopes for a clear result: “who desires all people to be saved” • These outcomes are hastened by certain conditions: 1. Peaceful and quiet – free from government interference and/or hindering persecution 2. Godly and Dignified – True Godliness is evangelistic; dignified is best understood as sober, alert, gravely aware Prayer of Great Significance 1. Prayer that Pleases – “good” and “pleasing” are words that God uses to describe obedient worship acceptable in his sight (see Deuteronomy 6:18; Exodus 29:18-41) 2. Prayer that shares the missional heart of God: • • God wishes for all to be saved and personally to know His truth (v. 4) God has conclusively demonstrated that good will by giving his Son as a ransom (v. 7) Prayer Applications 1. Misunderstandings to Avoid: • • • Not for secluded retreat into our independent affairs Not a grim obligation toward leaders we don’t respect. Not a prayer to be used only in election years. 2. Prayer for all people to come to know the truth of God’s passion for them. 3. Prayer for the social enablement to pursue God’s saving purposes. Applications • Meditation: What would it look like to cultivate a culture of gospel citizenship? • Creativity: As we meditate, specifics might emerge. Let’s share them with each other to prepare the ground for advance.