I Tim. 2:1-4– I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
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.
In these verses we find the Apostle Paul revealing that it’s God’s Will for all men to be saved and that it’s acceptable in the sight of God to offer prayer for all men. In order for our lives to embrace God’s Will and to be acceptable in his sight we must be given to prayer for the souls of men. Many fail in this endeavour because they haven’t be taught scriptural practices or been exposed to the urgency of this matter called “prayer”.
The Scriptural Means of Praying!
-v. 1
*Scriptural praying is defined with…
1. Supplications! (from the Hebrew word Entreat)
Definition = approaching God in a humble, needy manner and beseeching Him for favour.
2. Prayers!
Definition = praising God intimately and directly in conversation.
3. Intercessions!
Definition = seeking the presence and hearing of God on behalf of others.
4. Thanksgiving!
Definition = showing genuine appreciation for God’s grace and blessings.
5. Unhindered Prayer!
I Tim. 2:8– I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
*hindered by…
a.) Sin
Isa. 59:2– But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Ps. 66:18– If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
b.) Wrath
Eph. 4:26-32– Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
c.) Doubting
James 1:6-7– But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Let us learn to pray in this manner that we might see many come to Christ in these days!
–Pastor Doug Foster
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