Today we are advancing in our series, “MAXIMIZE: Making the most
of what God has given” and one of the things that will continue to surface is
the idea minimizing the distance between our potential as a church and what is current
reality. One great example of the distance between potential and reality is
found in the United States’ pursuit of energy independence. With gasoline
prices on the rise and global tension getting worse and worse, our need to be
energy independent is becoming more acute with every passing day. Regardless of
where you stand on this issue, consider this.
According to Forbes, “Total recoverable oil in North America exceeds 1.7 trillion
barrels, which is more oil than the entire world has used over the last 150
years. And that amount alone could meet the energy needs of the United States
for the next 250 years. An estimated 1.4 trillion of those barrels are buried
under American soil. The total proven reserves in Saudi Arabia is just about
260 billion barrels.” However, in spite of this awesome potential, little is
being done to tap into our own reserves in order that we as Americans might
benefit from all of the known perks that would naturally come out of tapping
into this precious commodity.
As bad as this might sound to you, there is an even
worse example of negligence in our world today that involves something far more
valuable than oil and if remedied would result in something far more powerful
that energy independence. It is the awesome power of God available and ready to
change the world. It is in infinite supply, will never run out, and is only a
prayer away.
“Prayer is as vast as God because He
is behind it. Prayer is
as mighty as God because He has
committed Himself to it”
-Leonard
Ravenhill
However, believers and their churches rarely tap into
this potential in the discipline of prayer. Because of this they throw away
their potential. Paul seeks to remedy this in his encouragement to Timothy in 1
Timothy 2:1-8. In this passage, Paul gives four reasons for prayer that
challenge the church in Ephesus to maximize their prayer lives so that God’s
power and movement might be unleashed to the fullest extent. These same reasons
apply to our context today as we seek to maximize prayer in our lives and at
our church.
I. REASON #1: BECAUSE
IT IS NEEDED-2:1-2
1 Timothy 2-3 deals with Paul’s instructions on how to
repair the church. Having already identified what to watch out for (false
teachers, strange doctrines, etc. in chapter 1), Paul now moves to encourage
the church toward right practice and prayer is number one in his list of
encouragements. Prayer’s placement in the book as a whole suggests prayer’s
priority in the life of the church. It is priority number 1.
"The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is
pray." S.D. Gordon
"The most important thing a born again Christian can do
is to pray." Chuck Smith
In his explication of prayer, Paul introduces four words, “entreaties,
and prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving” (2:1). Though all describe prayer in
some way, each has their own unique nuance. First, “entreaties” are those
requests made to God based on a sense of deep spiritual need. Second, “prayers”
is the most general term used to describe all kinds of prayer. Third, “petitions”
is often used of Christ’s prayers for believers. In other words, this word
places a heavy emphasis on Christ’s will for the church. Finally, “thanksgivings”
are praises of gratitude offered up to God. Inevitably, this list is not
intended as a list of different kinds of prayers to pray. Instead, Paul simply
gathers the words he knows for prayer and uses them all to highlight its
significance to the Christian life and movement of the church. In other words, Paul
said, “In every way you can, be praying…”
Not only was Timothy instructed to lead his church in
praying every way possible, but he was also encouraged to prayer for everyone
possible, “on behalf of all men, for kings, and all who are in authority” (2:1b-2).
Praying for everyone as instructed here
is sympathetic to the heart of God (see 2:4, 6) and in keeping with the scope
of His love. Commentator Kelly asserts, “Paul makes it plain that narrowness [in
one’s prayer life]…offends against the gospel of Christ.” However, Paul does
not mean that everyone must be prayed for by name. Instead, as Lea and Griffin
Jr. suggest, Paul’s intention is that “all needy sinners—without distinction of
race, nationality, or social position—must receive our prayers” (87).
"Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking
to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds
Though everyone is to be included in the content of prayer,
special concern for rulers and authorities is highlighted in verse 2. These terms
referred to the authorities of the state during that time (i.e. emperors,
governors, etc.). But why were they singled out in this way? Church history may
provide the answer. At this time in the early church, many Christians were
persecuted by these authorities. Because of this growing trend, many believers
were tempted to strike them from the prayer list. This temptation is similar
today with reference to the authorities in place in the U.S. Yet, no matter how
grudging authorities may be, believers must never begrudge them prayer. After
all, they are included in the word “all” mentioned earlier when Paul encouraged
prayers for “all men” (2:1).
Prayers offered on behalf of all men would result in a “tranquil
and quiet life” (2:2b). No doubt, Paul is not anticipating heaven on earth. The
idea of a life without any conflict and persecution would have been totally
unrealistic to the apostle. However, Paul did believe that an orderly life free
of strife and discord was possible within the church. This is the result of
prayer that Paul mentions here.
The orderly life that Paul describes would take place in a
state of “godliness and dignity” (2:2). These terms refer to a proper respect
for God and a life that is set apart. Such a life found within the church
context would be a glorious witness to the unbelieving world that something was
indeed different and attractive about the body of Christ.
This reason for prayer begs a simple question. Who do you
pray for? Are your prayers limited to family, friends, and the problems of
church members? Or, do you pray for the lost, gross, misinformed, corrupt, and
unattractive too? People who often deserve prayer the least are those who need
it the most. Why pray? –because it is desperately needed in order for the lost
to be saved the mission of the church to move forward.
II. REASON #2:
BECAUSE GOD WILL BE PLEASED-2:3-4
The second reason that Paul calls for prayer is because
prayer is pleasing to God, “this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior” (2:3). “This” has at its most appropriate antecedent in the earnest
concern for the lost of this world mentioned above. God is pleased to see His
disciples demonstrate their concern for the lost in their fervent prayers for
all people. Lea and Griffin conclude that “the knowledge that such prayer
pleases God provide a throbbing incentive to pray” (88-89).
Why are the prayers of the church for the lost so pleasing
to God? The answer is simple. Prayer for the lost is in keeping with God’s
nature, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”
(2:4). The word, “all” must refer to the same group as “everyone” did in verse
1. Therefore, this would include all people without any distinction whatsoever.
However, just because God may “want” all to be saved does not mean that He will
override human reluctance or antagonism against Him. God’s desires do not run
roughshod over human beings forcing obedience on those who resist the gospel.
Instead, God urges people to repentance with His kindness and goodness (Rom.
2:4).
God’s desire is that all would come to know the gospel, that
is the “truth” spoken of in verse 4. In fact, to “come to the knowledge of the
truth” is synonymous with Christian conversion. This is God’s desire.
In order for Timothy and his church to please God, they were
instructed to be people of prayer. Similarly, in order for Crystal Spring
Baptist Church to please God, we must be a people of prayer, bringing our requests
to God in such a way that we identify with His concern for the world and the
salvation of others.
"All great soul-winners have been men of much and
mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by
persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet." Samuel Logan Brengle
Why pray? –Because it makes God happy.
III. REASON #3: BECAUSE
BELIEVERS HAVE A MEDIATOR-2:5-6
The third reason that Paul gives for an intercessory culture
is that prayer is possible. As with the universe itself, the ancient law, salvation
for the individual, and everything else of eternal significance, prayer begins
with one premise, “there is one God” (2:5). Because there is only one God,
there is one ultimate prerogative and one appropriate destination for glory.
God’s oneness also sets God apart from the rest of creation and due to the fall
of man, all of creation has been rendered incapable of having a relationship with
Him. This leads to the second premise.
“…and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus” (2:5). As the mediator, Christ Jesus provides a way for those who are
not God to communicate and have a relationship with God. Jesus Christ, the
God-man, is uniquely qualified to serve in this role and is the sole agent
capable of bringing sinful people into the family of God. Why?
Jesus produced Himself as the “ransom for all” (2:6). This
is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. The concept was often
used when describing freed captives of war or the emancipation of slaves. In
other words, through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus paid the debt that
humanity owed, paving a way to God the Father. 2000 years ago, Jesus
voluntarily gave of Himself so that all might have the potential of entering
into a relationship with Him. This is in keeping with God’s desire for all to
be saved and the call of the church to pray on behalf of all men.
The possibility of prayer is a unique ability given to only
those members of the human race who have accepted the gift of God through Jesus
Christ. No other creature crawling upon the earth or swimming in the sea is
capable of interacting personally with the one true God! This is a treasure
that Paul encouraged Timothy and his church to take advantage of.
Like a forgotten treasure, prayer is often neglected in the
church today. We must rediscover how precious a gift prayer is to us and
remember that it was bought with Jesus’ blood. In order for our church to
maximize our prayer lives, we must appreciate the fact that communicating with
God has been made possible for you and me!
In order to validate the act of praying for all people, Paul
describes his ministry as a preacher, apostle and teacher to the Gentiles, yes,
even the Gentiles. This completes Paul’s inclusion of “all men” in the encouragement
earlier. Not only was the church to pray for Christians, Jews, the authorities,
and even their enemies, but they were also instructed to pray especially for
those outside the faith. Why? Because Paul had received an appointment by God
Himself, who, like Paul, desired all men to be saved, no matter what their spiritual
background might be.
Paul’s words up to this point challenge prayer lives in at
least three different ways. First, Paul encourages the church to pray for all
people. Second, Paul says that prayers should be made in order that people come
to a saving knowledge of God’s saving power. In other words, as believers
intercede for the sick, needy, confused, and suffering, they must not forget
that their ultimate aim is that they those who are lifted up experience divine
saving power. Third, Paul reminds every believer that as they pray they have
the confidence that Christ’s death has provided the ransom for sin, allowing
their prayer to be heard in the first place.
These reasons for maximizing prayer are alive and well today
and continue to inspire effective churches. Are you inspired to recapture the
sacred ministry of prayer in a new and fresh way in light of what has been
learned so far?
“There is no other activity in life so important as that of
prayer. Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency.” M.E. Andross
Why Pray? –Because Jesus died so that we could in the first
place.
IV. REASON #4:
BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO-2:8
The final reason Paul gives for maximizing the ministry of
prayer in the church is his own personal desire, “…I want the men in every
place to pray” (2:8). This final reason stems from all of the others mentioned.
Commentator Fee points out that Paul’s instruction is not
that only men should pray. Instead, he
is choosing to single out the men here in order to identify their role as
spiritual leaders in their local church family. In other words, “I want
especially the men to pray in every place” (“every place” meaning wherever they were
worshipping). This statement highlights,
once again, the priority of prayer in corporate worship and in church life.
The manner in which Paul wanted the men to pray was with
hands raised. This calls to mind an Old Testament posture of supplication and
of worship. Standing with hands lifted up was common among the Jews and Christians
in the first Century (see also Ps. 134:2; 141:2). Paul is not prescribing how
everyone should pray all of the time, but emphasizing his call for men to pray
by referring to the most popular posture used. This would be similar to saying
something like. “I want the men in every place to pray with heads bowed and
eyes closed.”
In giving this final reason to pray, Paul emphasizes the
attitude that the men were to bring to prayer. Paul did not just want the church
and Timothy to pray, He wanted them to pray the right way. The term “holy hands”
calls to mind hands that are morally pure and are demonstrative of a devout
life-style that sought to passionately please God. “Without wrath and
dissension” suggests that prayers offered in an attitude
of anger or disputing were ineffective. Therefore, men defiled by impurity or
divisiveness would be ineffective in their prayer lives.
“What the church needs today is not more machinery or
better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy
Ghost can use— men of prayer, men mighty in prayer" E.M. Bounds
So What?
Why is it important to
pray? (1) Because it desperately needed (2) Because God will be pleased (3)
Because Believers can and (4) Because God wants you to, Paul wants you to, and
I want you to! How can we maximize our prayer lives? Listen to these words from
John Laidlaw-"The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do
it! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is pray and never faint, and then
you shall never fail…" “When God finds a person [or a church] who
will place as his priority a life of intimate, personal, dynamic fellowship
with Him, He directs His power, guidance, and wisdom into and through that
person [or church]. God has found a man [or church] through whom He can change
the world”-LeRoy Eims. "Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the
third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then my dear brother; pray, pray,
pray." -Edward Payson. May we recapture the priority of
prayer as a church as we move forward for God’s glory and do His work! In order
to maximize the potential that God’s wants to see manifested in this church,
not only must we be a people of faith, we must be a people of prayer. As bad as our need for energy independence may
be, the spiritual needs of this world and this church are far greater. Are you
willing to tap into the power of God like never before? Are you ready to draw
from the wells of God’s power on behalf of the church and for His glory? Then
it is time to pray like we have never prayed before!
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