First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NABRE
Paul is writing to Timothy concerning the church in Ephesus. Paul is indicating a primary function of the church is to pray. Timothy as shepherd of the church has a primary responsibility to organize the worship. Timothy is a teacher of the truth and he is above all a minister of worship. Paul list four types of prayer; supplications – prayers that address some specific occasion or need, prayers – associated with supplication but perhaps more general, when asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray Jesus introduces the “Lord’s Prayer,” petitions – sometimes referred to as intercessions, comes from the idea of a subject coming to their king to ask a favor, it is a prayer in which we ask God for a favor, and thanksgiving – an expression of gratitude for past favors or benefits granted for prayers offered, other places Paul indicates thanksgiving should also be tied to the other forms of prayer assuming God will answer and we should always be grateful. Paul writes that prayer is not for local issues, or a local church but that prayer is for everyone. Paul wants prayer to be extended for kings, and all authority in the hopes that earthly authority would not make it difficult or impossible for the church to live in peace and with devotion to God. Paul indicates other places that civil authorities are ministers of God and should be obeyed, here he wants the church to pray for them so that they may help the church or minimally not intervene against the church.
We should pray unceasing as individuals and the church.
Have you prayed the four forms of prayer? Are you consistently grateful?
Paul is indicating a primary function of the church is to pray. Timothy as shepherd of the church has a primary responsibility to organize the worship. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #prayer #peace #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways