Prayer and Worship

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–8 (NLT)

For more Bible passages on prayer and worship, see 1 Chronicles 16:28–29; Psalm 6:9; 95:6; Matthew 21:22; John 4:24; Acts 2:41–47; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:8.

Outline:

I- The Aim of Prayer In Worship (1 Timothy 2: 1-7).

1 Timothy 2:1–7 NLT

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

A- Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1a)

1 Timothy 2:1a NLT

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

(δεήσεις= specific requests —a distinct asking something of God)

“ I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

B- Seeking God (1 Timothy 2:1b)

(προσευχάς= Prayers that are seeking God’s help for someone )

“ I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

1. Through the one mediator

C- Standing in the Gap for others.

(ἐντεύξεις= to go to Someone <in personal interview> to ask him to take action against or in favour of some third party (see Acts 25:24; Rom. 11:2; 8:27, 28, 34; Heb. 7:25))

“ I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

(vs. 2) “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

1. Governmental Officials

2. God-given Authorities

(Heb. 7:25)

Hebrews 7:25 NLT

25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

D- Speaking of gratitude toward God (1 Timothy 2:1d)

(εὐχαριστίας= thanksgiving for someone or something)

“ I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

E- Specific ends in mind:

(1 Timothy 2:2)

1 Timothy 2:2 NLT

2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

So that we can live out our faith without fear

(vs. 2) “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. “

To please God

(1 Timothy 2: 3)

1 Timothy 2:3 NLT

3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,

Toward their salvation

(1 Timothy 2:4)

1 Timothy 2:4 NLT

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Because there is only one way of salvation

(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT

5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

For God’s messenger

(1 Timothy 2:7)

1 Timothy 2:7 NLT

7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

II- The Acceptable Attitudes for Prayer In Worship (1 Timothy 2: 8-15).

A- Recognizing the places we are to pray. (1 Timothy 2:8a)

1 Timothy 2:8a NLT

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

1- Public Worship

2- Private Worship

B- Really lifting our hearts in prayer. (1 Timothy 2:8b)

1 Timothy 2:8b NLT

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

1- Symbolism of prayer position:

a. Then: exalting God, humbling self

B. Now: Same

C- Rejecting things that hinder answers to Prayer. ( 1 Timothy 2:8c)

1 Timothy 2:8c NLT

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

1.) Nursing an angry spirit (ὀργῆς = anger, strongest and most destructive of human emotions)

Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Jas. 1:19–20

Ephesians 4:31 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Colossians 3:8 NLT

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

James 1:19–20 NLT

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

2) Argumentative spirit (διαλογισμοῦ = to converse, argue, dispute”)

(Mark 9:34)

Mark 9:34 NLT

But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

(Philippians 2:14)

Philippians 2:14 NLT

Do everything without complaining and arguing,

(Acts 24:12)

Acts 24:12 NLT

My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.

© Copyright 2019 by Dr. George Bannister. All Rights Reserved.