Praying People

Intro: Some years ago a young girl was very sick and not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might put their faith in Him. She took his advice, made a list, and prayed often for each person.Some time later God began to stir a revival in the village. The girl heard of the people who were coming to Christ and prayed even more. As she heard reports, she checked off the names of those who had been led to the Lord.After the girl died, a prayer list with the names of 56 people was found under her pillow. All had put their faith in Christ—the last one on the night before her death.Such is the power of definite, specific, fervent prayer.

1st Timothy was written as an exhortation to teach proper doctrine to the leading men and give instruction as to how the Church is to conduct itself. In these short 6 chapters Paul gives many instructions. However, inspired by God he begins with prayer. D.L. Moody once said the fruit of all ministry begins with prayer.

CPS: It is the church’s responsibility to pray, if the church doesn't pray who will!

The Church must be a praying people, and the scope of our prayers is all people. (1-2)

The opening words of our text is an exportation to prayer. “Exhort” is the Greek verb parakaleō, it means to ask earnestly, to beg, or plead. This church had had fallen pray to false teachings and the first thing the apostle Paul wants to correct is the corporate prayer life of the Church.

The early church was a praying church, after the ascension of Jesus the Bible teaches us that the apostles gathered and continually devoted themselves to prayer. (Acts 1:14 “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” ) on the day of Pentecost Peter preached a message endowed by the Holy Spirit of God and 3,000 souls were saved and the Bible said they who were saved along with the apostles continually devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” )

The Church is to be a praying church and the Church in Ephesus had neglected this important responsibility and today the Church universal is still neglecting this privileged obligation.

To pray means to communicate with God and it is our responsibility but what a privilege it is to have open means of communication with Holy God.

ILL: I recall a comment made by Robert Cook the president of The Kings College in NYC. While speaking at the Moody Bible Institute, cook said that the day before, he had been at a gathering in Washington and had talked with Vice President George Bush. Two hours later he spoke briefly with President Ronald Reagan. Then smiling broadly, Cook told us, “But that’s nothing! Today I talked with God!”

Have you talked with God today? We must be a praying people!

As Paul urges the Church to pray He using 4 words for prayer, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving. By using 4 different words Paul is driving home the importance of prayer and teaching us that we should be humble, worshipful, trustful, and thankful as we come before our Lord praying for all people.

A. All Men

The scope (Subject Matter) of the church’s prayers is all people.

All (Adj.) pas (5x) it means every, each, whole. Men (noun) anthrōpos or human beings. The scope of our prayers is universal its all people! Men, women, and children, sinners and saints.

Today’s population is 7.9 Billion people and the Bible tells us that it is our obligation and privilege to pray for these people. It seems overwhelming but we pray none the less.

B. All Authorities

Of all the people in the world Paul we should pray Paul points out the Kings and authorities! It is important to know the historical context. Paul has just been released from a two year Roman imprisonment and the political climate was heating up for the Christian. He writes this letter in around AD. 62- 63 while Rome was under the reign of the wicked emperor Nero. On July 19, AD 64 Rome was burned (probably by Nero) and he cast the blame of the Christians. It was at this time Christianity became illegal and to evangelize was punishable by death. The Apostle Paul was arrested sometime shortly after this and condemned to death as was Peter.

If The Apostle Paul encourages the Church to pray for Nero than we must pray for President Joe Biden and or every authorities who have been ordained by God to lead us.

We must pray that our leaders have the God given wisdom needed to guide them in their duties and like Paul we must pray that our leaders make decisions that facilitate the spread of Christianity across our nation and world. We pray for the purpose that we Christians can live a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty.

Quiet and peaceable means free from disturbance and conducive to evangelism and discipleship that the world may know the Lord Jesus and walk in fellowship with Him.

II. The Church must be a praying people, and the focus of our prayers is salvation. (3-6)