Pray for the Nation

Introduction

The new malaysia after last nation election - the hope and the realities.

Should we talk about politics in church? Yes, but not the way the world is talking about. How the world is talking - commenting, gossipping, accusing. in fact, it is very important for church life. that’s why Paul urgeed Timothy, first of all, to pray for all kings and those in authority. implying that this is the most important instruction and therefore the first thing that should happen in the church

Marshall, I. H., & Towner, P. H. (2004). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (p. 418). London; New York: T&T Clark International.

My personal journey in involving in the politics.

Pray for the nation - the background

How this background is similar to us

Paul urged Timothy, first of all, to Pray for all kings and those in authority (v2). The word urge and the phrase “first of all”, stress the imporatance and urgency in praying for these people.

how and why to pray?

How to pray for nation? (v1)

Petitions (δέησις) - (in the NT only in reference to God) is the more specific word of the first two and indicates an “entreaty” (BAGD) for a particular benefit (Trench) or need. pray for their salvation.

Prayers (προσευχή)- is the more general word for prayer (cf. Greeven, TDNT II, 802: “with no narrower indication of its content”), although it can also be more focused when additional terms are added to it. It is most often found in contexts of petition, as here (cf. again O’Brien, Introductory Thanksgivings, 29f. n. 50), and may (cf. εὔχομαι, “I wish,” “I pray”) give emphasis to the desire to come to God, and in our context, to bring those for whom one is praying before God for his general blessing and care, whereas δεήσις would seem to focus on asking for some special need in that one’s life

Intercession (ἔντευξις) - means here “petition” or more appropriately “appeal” (BAGD; cf. ἐντυγχάνω in Paul, , ; ), with a note of both urgency and boldness of access (Trench). Prayers must manifest concern for others and perhaps particularly for their plight or difficulty. With ἔντευξις the image is that of one who comes to a king and appeals for the king’s favorable response.

Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία) - expressions of gratitude, here “thankfulness” or “gratitude” to God on behalf of all. draw attention to the fact that requests are made always in the context of conscious expressions of thankfulness.

the four words are plural points to more than one expression of prayer and suggests the involvement of a number of those in the congregation.

“for all people” - Paul desires that such prayers should be made “on behalf of all people” (ἄνθρωπος used here in the sense of human beings, not of males in contrast to females). ὑπέρ is often used in the sense of “for,” “in behalf of,” “for the sake of”. it refers to all kinds of people - all kinds of supreme rulers in civil authority.

Why to pray for nation?

for our own benefit

worldly - live peaceful and quite lives (v2b). An evaluation of Paul’s own life leads one to realize that this “quiet” does not mean a sheltered life but rather freedom from the turmoil that threatened to thwart his ministry. A good example is the disquiet of the riot in the very city that he was writing to, Ephesus (), which the rulers finally quieted. After this quiet came, Paul was able to gather and exhort the disciples

An evaluation of Paul’s own life leads one to realize that this “quiet” does not mean a sheltered life but rather freedom from the turmoil that threatened to thwart his ministry. A good example is the disquiet of the riot in the very city that he was writing to, Ephesus (), which the rulers finally quieted. After this quiet came, Paul was able to gather and exhort the disciples

Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 117). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

spiritually - live godliness and holiness (v2b)

the lives of all people, including Christians in their concern to proclaim the gospel and live a godly life, are affected by civil authorities.

for God

this is good (v3a) - since God desires all to be saved, it must be good and acceptable to him that we pray for all, for we can surely use God as our model for concern in this area

Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 118). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

this pleases God (v3a)

this pleases God (v3a)

for others

they will be saved

they will come to a knowledge of the truth

pray for their salvation.

Conclusion - what are the ways to pray

;

M24/7 Prayer (http://24-7prayermalaysia.com/prayer-news/prayer/247-prayer-malaysia/)

Issachar Watchmen prayer (http://www.methodistchurch.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=6&action=view&retrieveid=674 )

Wesleyan fasting prayer

Esther Fasting prayer

prayer meeting