Morning Moments

True public worship (as private) involves prayer. We find that in 1 Timothy 2:1-8.

Paul begins by telling us what is to be done. He says, "pray." He says to make it a priority. We understand that by the phrase "first of all. Prayerlessness is perhaps the greatest sin of the church. Jesus said, "Pray that you enter not into temptation. He did not say "pray that you will not be tempted," but pray that you enter not. It is easier to preach than to pray. It is easier to perform than to pray. Real prayer might just be the hardest discipline of the Christian life. Maybe it is why the apostles could not "watch" with Him for one hour. It is easier to speak that supplicate, to instruct than to intercede, to proclaim than to petition, but let's face it, no may preaches better than he prays.

"Okay," says Paul, "Now that I have told you what to do - pray, I will tell you how to do it." There are two principles given in the text regarding the "how to" of public worship and prayer:

1. Regarding Petitions - "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus" (vs 5). Paul makes is perfectly clear that our Sacred Duty as believers is to worship, and that worship involves prayer. In the four previous verses we discover an exhortation to prayer, but verses 5-6 show us an example, then in verse 7, Paul offers us a personal word of encouragement.

Look at the verses now and see what I am saying:

1Ti 2:1-7

THE ESTIMATION - "First of all"
I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

THE EXTENT - "all"
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority;

THE EXPECTATION - "quiet and peaceable life"
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

The EXAMPLE - "the man Christ Jesus"
(3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

THE EXHORTATION - "teacher...faith and verity
(7) Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to pray.