Prayer Priority
We have to get the prayer priority straight.
1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Paul says the first priority of a church is to pray. To pray to God with thanksgiving for all people. That's what a Church is called to do. We are a royal priesthood offering up prayers for our cities, bring the peace of Christ in our fellowship.
The Church must be concerned for ALL people in our city. Praying for leaders, praying for those in authority. Praying for peace. Why? Peace among all people pleases God who wants all people to be saved.
Sometimes we forget, our "personal" Savior Jesus is Savior available to all, who gave Himself for all, and wants all men to be saved. Everyone you are ever eyeball to eyeball with is someone for whom Christ died.
Four terms are listed in verse 1 for prayer:
Supplications - making specific requests according to need. Is that in your prayer life? Or are you so vague you wouldn't even know if God answered the prayer?
Prayers - brings people in view before God. We should pray for one another. We should lift others up in prayer. Who else do our prayers surround? Or are we so self-centered that we do not even think of anyone else?
Intercessions - appealing boldly on someone's behalf. Don't barely pray. PRAY! Pray with fervor and passion. This is what pleases God... boldly approaching His throne and calling out to Him, CRYING out to Him. Just like Jesus (Hebrews 5:7)
Thankfulness - Are we thankful for the people God has brought into our lives? Give thanks for them. Isolation and solitude are not healthy or Godly. Yes, there are times to be alone, but life is meant to be lived in community.
When we live a life of prayer - peace is the reality. Notice how Paul put it after calling for the church to pray:
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way
Too many communities, families, and societies have NO peace. The Church must pray on their behalf so that peace can be the result and godly living the evidence of Christ's presence in us.
PRAYER:
Father, I ask you to make me a man of prayer. I ask you for a fresh burden to pray for people in my life, over my life, and even beyond my life. Bring peace to my family, my church, my town. In Jesus' Name.
1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Paul says the first priority of a church is to pray. To pray to God with thanksgiving for all people. That's what a Church is called to do. We are a royal priesthood offering up prayers for our cities, bring the peace of Christ in our fellowship.
The Church must be concerned for ALL people in our city. Praying for leaders, praying for those in authority. Praying for peace. Why? Peace among all people pleases God who wants all people to be saved.
Sometimes we forget, our "personal" Savior Jesus is Savior available to all, who gave Himself for all, and wants all men to be saved. Everyone you are ever eyeball to eyeball with is someone for whom Christ died.
Four terms are listed in verse 1 for prayer:
Supplications - making specific requests according to need. Is that in your prayer life? Or are you so vague you wouldn't even know if God answered the prayer?
Prayers - brings people in view before God. We should pray for one another. We should lift others up in prayer. Who else do our prayers surround? Or are we so self-centered that we do not even think of anyone else?
Intercessions - appealing boldly on someone's behalf. Don't barely pray. PRAY! Pray with fervor and passion. This is what pleases God... boldly approaching His throne and calling out to Him, CRYING out to Him. Just like Jesus (Hebrews 5:7)
Thankfulness - Are we thankful for the people God has brought into our lives? Give thanks for them. Isolation and solitude are not healthy or Godly. Yes, there are times to be alone, but life is meant to be lived in community.
When we live a life of prayer - peace is the reality. Notice how Paul put it after calling for the church to pray:
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way
Too many communities, families, and societies have NO peace. The Church must pray on their behalf so that peace can be the result and godly living the evidence of Christ's presence in us.
PRAYER:
Father, I ask you to make me a man of prayer. I ask you for a fresh burden to pray for people in my life, over my life, and even beyond my life. Bring peace to my family, my church, my town. In Jesus' Name.
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