Life in the Power of Prayer

Sunday Worship 19 April 2009
Speaker: Ps Barnabas Boon
Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

1. What is prayer?

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone

Prayer is talking to God with all these meanings and connotations. There are four things about prayer.

* Requests (Prayer is begging). We come to God with a sense of need and insufficiency . The word "supplications" ([@deesis]) means "requests," or "entreaties" (cf. Phil. 4:6; Matt. 9:38). It is like the word "beg," and is much like saying a fervent "please." So prayer is begging.
* "Prayers“ (Prayer is worship) . We come with devotion in mind. The word prayers ([@proseuche]) is a word always used of requests addressed to God (cf. Rom. 15:30). Prayer is also worship.
* "Intercessions“ (Prayer is intimacy). We come to God with childlike confidence, generally in behalf of another. The word intercessions ([@enteuxis]) combines two great ideas: the verb form means "to have an intimate talk with someone"; the noun was also used of petitions submitted to a king or governor. Thus, it signifies to the Christian the high privilege of having an intimate talk with the ruler of the universe. Prayer is having an intimate talk to the great God above.
* "Thanksgiving“ (Prayer is gratitude) . We pray as if we have received in a grateful manner. The word ([@eucharistia]) means "gratitude." The phrase "for all men" suggests that gratitude, as well as supplications, prayers, and intercessions, should be expressed for all men. There were some in the church who did not have this feeling for all men, especially for the uncircumcised Gentiles. Prayer is also about gratitude.


2. Who do we pray for?

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. As an overview, we pray for 1) everyone, 2) Kings and rulers and 3) those in authority over us. However corrupt and evil they are we must pray for them.

* Be made for everyone…Jew and gentile alike. No one is exempt from our prayer. We must never discriminate in prayer whether it is in terms of time ie. Time for prayer and when we are not in a time for prayer we do not pray for people. In terms of circumstance. We must pray at all times and in all places. I always pray for my fellow bikers who may be driving dangerously. Pray for them and do not curse them with a death or injury wish.
* For Kings…For rulers. The word "king" ([@basileus]) is also translated "ruler" or "sovereign." 1 Timothy 6:15 uses the word sovereign or dunastes which is an earthly power. The word basileus is a word for the king of kings, the emperor. At this time Emperor Claudius and the Nero were in power. These were terrible tyrants and yet Paul urges Christians to pray for them.
* All those in authority…The lesser officials of the government especially what we would term the little Napoleons who literally have power over our life and death and well being.

We must pray for all in our prayers. No one is exempt. We must also pray for our enemies because we are called to love them. Matthew 5:4…But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. The fundamental law of Christ's kingdom is to love your enemies. Jesus’ example is in itself a study of this application. Our enemies are to be conquered by love

3. What should we pray for?

2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. We pray for peaceful and quiet lives as well as for godly and holy lives

* Peaceful and quiet lives… The word "quiet" ([@hesuchia]) is used also in 1 Tim. 2:11 urging women to be "quiet" and submissive in their relation to men in the public services of the church. It is descriptive of the Christian's life under the rulers of civil affairs (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:11). Luke uses it more than anyone else, especially in Acts where Paul's ministry is disturbed by noisy riots and confusion stirred up by those who opposed the truth. The word "peaceful" ([@eremos]) suggests tranquillity and contentment.
* Godly and holy lives… The word "godly" ([@eusebeia]) may be translated "piety," "religion," or "godliness." "Respectful or holy" ([@semnotes]) implies reverence, dignity, holiness, and seriousness.

4. Why should we pray?

3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

We pray because it is a good thing, it pleases God and we also pray for the salvation of the world

* It is good…The language here is almost identical with Paul's words in 2 Cor. 8:21, where "good" ([@kalon]) is translated "honorable." When we say we are praying for you we are doing something good and honorable. It honors God and it honors man.
* It pleases God… The word means "acceptable" or “pleases”. Those who live as such has the promise of God to accept him and to view him as one who is fit for the Kingdom of God.
* For salvation and knowledge… Unless God accepts a man, he cannot be saved. Our prayers will be part of the way in which God accepts a man. Sharing the gospel and prayer are vital partners..
o For knowledge…Prayer ensures proper follow up and teaching and the growth of a soul through right knowledge. What is this knowledge? 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. For knowledge…Prayer ensures proper follow up and teaching and the growth of a soul through right knowledge.
What is this knowledge? 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. This knowledge encompasses four things.

1. There is one God
2. One mediator between God and man
3. Jesus Christ is the man
4. Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all men

5. How should we pray?

8I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

* Want…The word for "desire" ([@boulomai]) means a wish or intention. It is much like the word [@thelo] which is used to express God's desire in 1 Tim. 2:4. Both [@boulomai] and [@thelo] suggest not only desire but also a desire that directs one's energies and shapes his decisions. Jesus used both words with much the same meaning (Matt. 6:10; Luke 22:44).
* Lift up hands…The expression "lifting up holy hands" is most appropriate in conjunction with the word for "pray" ([@proseuchomai], see comments on 1 Tim. 2:1). It was also a common gesture for prayer in the ancient world as shown by Christian art and sculpture. It dates back to Hebrew usage (cf. Ps. 141:2; 63:4; 28:2). Men are to plead, beg, and entreat. The hands lifted toward God suggests the hands of a dependent child lifted toward a father who has the power to grant what the child needs and desires.
* Holy hands.. These lifted hands must be "holy hands". The word "holy" ([@hosios]) means "devoted" and "pleasing to God" (cf. James 4:8, Ps. 24:3,4). They must also be helping hands (Eph. 4:28). The man who gives the back of his hand to his brother cannot open palms of requesting hands to the heavenly Father.
* No anger or disputing… The word "anger" ([@orge]) suggests violent emotions or wrath (compare Titus 1:7). The word "quarreling" ([@dialogismos]) has been translated by some to mean "doubt," suggesting that one who prays should not do so with doubt in his heart. But it seems that "quarreling" or "disputing" goes better with "anger". In Rom. 14:1 it is translated "disputes over opinions." The word is used in the New Testament with a bad connotation. It is derived from [@dialegomai], which is often used with a good meaning in reference to Paul's "arguing" in the synagogues (Acts 18:4; 19:8; 20:9). It is also used often to describe the kind of doubt and questioning that the Scribes and Pharisees engaged in as they argued with Jesus

Challenge:

Let us then pray, brothers and sisters, privately and publicly, alone and together with others, at set times and at all times, for everyone, in faith and humility, in submission and obedience to God, for then we shall have peace and joy in Him always who does all things well and for His own glory.