The Priority of Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-15

What priority does prayer have in your life? Does it matter at all? Has it made a difference? When was the last time that you prayed? Oops! Now we're getting personal.

The apostle Paul gave it a high priority. In his letter to Timothy he wrote, "Therefore I exhort (or encourage) first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority...." 1 Timothy 2:1, 2. He put it first of all.

Four kinds of prayers are mentioned in these verses: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. Supplications are those prayers that we cry out to God when problems or difficulties arise. In Psalm 34:6 we have an example of a prayer of supplication. "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." Prayers are those that we say routinely before eating meals or before going to bed. "Now I lay me down to sleep...." Intercessions are prayers on behalf of others. And we all know what it is to give thanks.

Prayer should be made for all men. "God our Savior...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Someone has said, "Before we talk to men about God, we should talk to God about men." This is true.

We should also pray for those in places of authority. In the United States we don't have a king, but we do have leaders. Many Christians do pray for the president. Regardless of their political party they all need our prayers.

Why pray? Paul wrote, "That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (or dignity). For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." How we long for peace and quiet today!

An elderly lady was a member of a church, and she was very sick. Despite many visits to the doctor's office her condition did not improve. She became depressed. A close friend informed her pastor of the situation, so he visited her, hoping to cheer her up. Shortly after he entered her house he said, "I have come to pray for you." Appearing shocked she replied, "Has it come to that?"

For some of us the priority of prayer is last of all. When we have exhausted all our options, we turn to the Lord. Prayer is God's appointed way, and that's why it should be first of all. He bids us, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3.

Well, Lord, You have made a living way for us to come into Your presence. Thank you for the power of the name of Jesus. Save us from mere talk about prayer. Teach us to pray. In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Mystery of Godliness - 1 Timothy 3

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