Family Business- Prayer

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Today’s series subject

Life as the church has many elements to it and today we are going to look at the topic of prayer. While there is much in scripture about prayer, today the focus is on prayer as the church.

Reminders: the set up

Paul to Timothy about conduct as the church

Instruction one: Jesus Christ is our hope

Instruction two: Doctrine matters

Instruction three: Understanding the command

Instruction four: Fight the good fight of faith

Now having said that here is what we are going to cover this morning, prayerfully.

Priority of prayer (1Tim2:1)

Variety of prayer (1Tim2:1)

Reason and the basis for prayer (1Tim2:3-7)

Attitude of prayer (1Tim2:8)

The passage

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

1 Timothy 2:3–4 NKJV

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:5–6 NKJV

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

1 Timothy 2:7–8 NKJV

7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Priority of prayer

Without a doubt Jesus taught about the importance, and the priority of prayer for the person. Do we think about the priority of prayer as the body?

(Insert First of all picture here)

Every version of the bible says “first of all” in (v.1) with exception of Aramaic version says “before all things.” So consider that Timothy is being given the instruction for the church at Ephesus about the priority of prayer as the church.

Have a pot luck, everyone shows up, have a prayer meeting at 5:30 and limited people show up, it just an honest assessment of the truth. Prayer is one of the things the early church prioritized as a part of the assembly

Prayer’s priority in the assembly early church (Act2:42; 6:4; Mt6:5)

Not on the screen just quote it

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Another example (Not on the screen; just quote it)

Acts 6:4 NASB95

4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

oh wow, look, Peter thought prayer was just as much a part of the apostolic ministry as the word was.

I have to be honest I can spend a lot of time in prayer personally, but do not put a lot of thought and attention into prayer in the assembly, I have much room to grow in this area. Prayers can become routine, repetitious and just something we do on the way to worshipping with our voices and hearing Gods word and the supper. And prayer needs to have proper placement, priority in the assembly.

I need to be prepared to pray, as to the men who are assigned to pray. Thought, consideration, heart all need to be applied to our prayer in the assembly. May we not be guilty like the Pharisee’s

Matthew 6:5 NASB95

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

(Transition) When we say we believe in the power of prayer, do our prayers in the assembly prove it? May we consider, prayerfully the variety of prayers mentioned in our passage this morning too.

Variety of prayers

So, prayer in the assembly needs to be a priority, it was in the early church, and it should be in ours too. Now there are at least seven different Greek nouns for prayers and in our passage we see four of them, so let’s journey together.

1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

(insert variety of prayers PowerPoint here)

Supplications - offering a request for definite need

Humble requests which one makes in the light of this or that concrete situation which God alone can furnish help - Hendrickson.

Prayers - Common word used for the activity of prayer and the sacredness of prayer

This is an act of worship not just an expression of our wants, needs.

There should be a reverence to it.

Hendrickson on this states “These are requests for fulfillment of needs always present.”

Intercessions-This is best translated as “petitions” on behalf of others. (Heb7:25, Isa53:12, Rom8:34)

A few scriptures come to mind on this

Christ intercedes for us (Heb7:25; Isa53:12; Rom8:34)

Below not on screen just quote it, leave the PowerPoint up

Hebrews 7:25 NASB95

25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

and as seen in the O.T. too.

Isaiah 53:12 NASB95

12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

Jesus interceded not just in prayers but in His very blood because of our sin (transgressions)

The Spirit intercedes for us (Rom8:27)

Below not on the screen, just quote it, leave the PowerPoint up

Romans 8:27 NASB95

27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We intercede for others, especially for our leaders (1Tim2:1-2)

How about another version of our passage?

1 Timothy 2:1–2 The Message

1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.

Giving thanks, with thanksgiving - Thanking God for what He has done and what you have faith in that He is going to do, because of His faithfulness. (Ps103; Dan6:10-11; Php4:6)

Thanksgiving should always be a part of our prayers, Daniel, David, Paul display this, example this for us.

Paul:

Philippians 4:6 NASB95

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

He told the church at Philippi in everything with thanks giving.

Daniel:

Daniel 6:10–11 NASB95

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

Daniel had a habit of praying for his people, for Israel giving thanks

How about when was the last time you prayed in thanksgiving asking for nothing at all, we can do that as a congregation.

Listen to this beautiful words from Ps103.

(James read from your bible, it is the same that is on the screen, but read it directly from your bible)

Psalm 103:1–2 NKJV

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 103:3–4 NKJV

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Psalm 103:5–6 NKJV

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

Psalm 103:7–8 NKJV

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Psalm 103:9–10 NKJV

9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

Psalm 103:11–12 NKJV

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:13–14 NKJV

13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:15–16 NKJV

15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

Psalm 103:17–18 NKJV

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

Psalm 103:19–20 NKJV

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Psalm 103:21–22 NKJV

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

(Transition) From the varieties now to the objects of our prayer

Objects of our prayer

Our passage says “all men.” I think we can agree that all means all.

No person is outside the prayer influence, prayer circle of the believer who offers faithful prayers. That is any living person.

All meaning the saved

All meaning the unsaved

All meaning friends and foes alike

In Paul’s day, at this time it was Emperor Nero on the throne and he was an evil man who burned Christians on stakes in his garden to light paths in his garden. Even if we do not respect the man we need to respect the authority of the office. with a purpose. Let me give you the verses again.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NRSV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.

Here is the reason why, look at (v.2) there is a “so that” we may lead quiet (speaking positionally outside) and peaceful (speaking in inner peace and attitude) lives in all godliness and dignity.

(Transition) we cannot pray for all men by name in our prayers as the church, we can pray for that we know and know about, why? Because it is a good thing to do and it pleasing to God.

The reasons for prayer

You will see the word “good” used many times in Paul’s epistles to Timothy and to Titus. What was good then for the church at Ephesus is still good today.

1 Timothy 2:3–4 NASB95

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Prayer is good

Prayer is intrinsically (in trin sickally) good and I’m not meaning just good in it’s effect. it is fair, it is beautiful it is:

Prayer is acceptable in the sight of God

It pleases the Father when His children pray to him

Now, true prayer needs to be paying in the will of God.

It is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but not get God’s will done on earth.

So what is God’s will?

Praying for God’s will (desire) to come.

that “all men” come to the knowledge of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. That all men be saved, but does that mean all men will be saved?

Basis of our prayers should be on the work of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is our mediator, the perfect mediator since He came in the flesh, suffered all things so to be God’s perfect sacrifice for our sins. His substitutionary death fulfilled the law for he was paid the “ransom for all”

Through His death He is efficient for those who trust Him, and sufficient for the sins of the world.

All, let me point this again, it is so important!

We, the church need to pray for “all men” for anything short of that we are ignoring the worldwide outreach of the cross . we for for all for Christ died for all. It is God’s will that all be saved. Those saved are the ones who believe, so we need to go into all the world. Our world is right here and goes out. Going to a foreign mission field is good, just as good as the domestic one next door or down the block.

(Transition) so now this brings us to the attitude in prayer

Attitude in prayer

Attitude is a heart thing. Jesus rebuked the Pharisee’s for doing the right thing but with the wrong heart (Mt15:8) using a quote from Isa29:13)

Isaiah 29:13 NASB95

13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

(Insert one of the prayer meeting pictures here)

Prayer, we mention prayer meeting and a few show up, mention a pot luck and everyone shows up. Prayer is a part of our worship (Act2:42) and is a part of our daily, personal lives. Do we believe in the power of prayer? Do we have an attitude of prayer? That God hears pray and answers prayer!

Essentials in attitude in prayer:

With holy Hands

Another word for holy is clean, clean hands, in right standing with God and for God.

One who is dwelling in sin cannot expect God to hear and answer your prayers.

Without wrath

Another way to say this is without anger, or dispute,. grumbling or complaining.

We need to be a peacemaker vs. a troublemaker.

Don’ t pray for God to give them theirs!

Without doubting

This is the prayer offered in faith, it is powerful and effective according to (Jm5:16)

We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb11:6)

Here is a little bonus for you today regarding prayer.

Position of prayer

Did you know that bowing our heads and closing our eyes in prayer is not found in the bible? There are many positions found so consider these.

Pray standing (1Sam1:26; Mk11:25; Lk18:13)

Pray kneeling (Act20:36) and even with lifted hands (1Kn8:54)

Pray hands spread out or lifted (Neh8:6; 1Kn8:22)

Lifting head, eyes to heaven (Jn17:1)

Falling down with face on ground (Mt26:39)

Bowing head with face between knees (1Kn18:42) or striking breast (Lk18:13)

Our outer posture is not as important as our inner posture, that of our heart.

So the next time we gather together for prayer or even during the assembly may we keep this family business of prayer in a priority right along with the word that brings faith and faith brings salvation