It's top of the list; priority #1. Near the end of his life, in his last written words, he wants to make sure we are focused on key priorities.
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Prayer tops the list of priorities from the perspective of the elderly apostle Paul, but he clarifies that it is to be prayer with a real purpose. Prayer must focus on the key priorities of God; namely, His desire for the salvation of all people. That's why we are specifically directed to pray for government leaders: to keep government off our backs so that we can lead quiet and peaceably lives as we go about His kingdom business. God's earnest desire is for the salvation of all and their understanding of truth. That truth is clearly described in verse five: an awareness and understanding of the one true God and His appointed mediator, the man Christ Jesus.
All-encompassing prayer with a purpose. That's priority number one from an old man to the next generation. And the older I get the more I see that priority with greater clarity. From my vantage point it seems that believers are generally committed to the priority of prayer, but perhaps not prayer with a purpose. We faithfully pray for everyone we are aware of who is sick, unemployed, going through family and marital problems, etc. And many faithfully pray for government leaders. But the WHY of our prayers is as important as the WHAT. Do we pray for people with physical and emotional needs because we are kind-hearted and because it's the right thing to do? Or do we pray for these needs knowing that God has a greater purpose amidst them - for their salvation and knowledge of truth?
What would happen if God's people focused intently in prayer for all they know who are lost and those who have wandered from the truth? I suspect a mighty revival and renewal such as has not been seen in modern times.
Thanksgiving is to be a pervading attitude as we pray, as Paul pointed out to Timothy. On the eve of the most noble and honorable of our cultural celebrations, may thanksgiving permeate our prayers as we express gratitude to our Father who has given us all things and ultimately His great plan for salvation and truth. How thankful I am for being privileged to know and embrace His plan and to participate with Him in His most important purpose.
Steve
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Prayer tops the list of priorities from the perspective of the elderly apostle Paul, but he clarifies that it is to be prayer with a real purpose. Prayer must focus on the key priorities of God; namely, His desire for the salvation of all people. That's why we are specifically directed to pray for government leaders: to keep government off our backs so that we can lead quiet and peaceably lives as we go about His kingdom business. God's earnest desire is for the salvation of all and their understanding of truth. That truth is clearly described in verse five: an awareness and understanding of the one true God and His appointed mediator, the man Christ Jesus.
All-encompassing prayer with a purpose. That's priority number one from an old man to the next generation. And the older I get the more I see that priority with greater clarity. From my vantage point it seems that believers are generally committed to the priority of prayer, but perhaps not prayer with a purpose. We faithfully pray for everyone we are aware of who is sick, unemployed, going through family and marital problems, etc. And many faithfully pray for government leaders. But the WHY of our prayers is as important as the WHAT. Do we pray for people with physical and emotional needs because we are kind-hearted and because it's the right thing to do? Or do we pray for these needs knowing that God has a greater purpose amidst them - for their salvation and knowledge of truth?
What would happen if God's people focused intently in prayer for all they know who are lost and those who have wandered from the truth? I suspect a mighty revival and renewal such as has not been seen in modern times.
Thanksgiving is to be a pervading attitude as we pray, as Paul pointed out to Timothy. On the eve of the most noble and honorable of our cultural celebrations, may thanksgiving permeate our prayers as we express gratitude to our Father who has given us all things and ultimately His great plan for salvation and truth. How thankful I am for being privileged to know and embrace His plan and to participate with Him in His most important purpose.
Steve
posted by steve @ 1:29 PM
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