Prayer and the Gospel – 1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1 Timothy 2:17

Previously, in former posts here we’ve examined Paul’s instructions concerning the gospel – that it should be guarded, celebrated and fought for. We are, if you like, on a great mission to save lives. The church is surrounded by people who don’t know Jesus (and in some cases haven’t even heard of Jesus). So how do we do all of the gospel stuff (guard, celebrate and fight for) whilst carrying out this great mission? His answer: we start with prayer. Look at what Paul writes in verse 1:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

So in this section Paul is encouraging Timothy (and us) to pray for all people – notice that Paul repeats himself 4 times just so we get it! Here are the four Greek words that Paul uses to encourage us to prayer:

• Supplications is the Greek “deēsis” and means: “requests of an urgent need”.
• Prayers is the Greek “proseuchē” and means: “offering of prayer”. This is often associated with sacrifice and fasting. It emphasise the giving of our time and energy to it.
• Intercessions is the Greek “enteuxis” and means: “requests are made on behalf of others”.
• Thanksgivings is the Greek “eucharistia” and means: “grateful language to God, as an act of worship)”.

So all of these four words help when we are thinking about prayer. They help is in our

• urgency – the time to pray is now;
• priority – the need to pray is crucial;
• direction – the focus of our prayer is others (note that Paul says be made for all people – regardless of race, social status, or gender, God does not discriminate between persons
• attitude – the heart of prayer is worship

Here is what I think Paul is driving at …. the Christians demonstrate their gospel dependence on God and gospel love for others through faith-filled prayer. Our prayers that are offered on behalf of others become an expression of faith in God and love for others.

Why do we pray Gospel Saturated prayers?

Let’s look …. two reasons:

1. That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
2. God our Saviour, .. desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So firstly understand that those at the top of the cultural river affect what happens downstream. Paul’s point is to prayer for those in power over those without power, because the decisions that they will make will eventually affect you. Paul’s desire is a peaceful and quiet life but also one that is godly. So, in effect Paul is encouraging us to pray that our leaders will make the kind of decisions that will help us live like that! That’s a kind of prayer I can pray, how about you?

Secondly, Paul is motivated to see the love of God displayed. He says: “pray the truth about who God is and what He has done in Jesus to be made known”. Again that’s a kind prayer I can pray, are you with me? God said:

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live

Ezekiel 33:11

And the, in our text, it’s as if Paul is reminded again of the glorious gospel and erupts into a hymn of praise:

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Ultimately, we love and work and go on this life-saving mission because we know that there is only one God and He alone deserves our highest praise. And so worship is the goal of prayer. We prayer so that the eyes of men and women and children all over our city and in our country would be open to the glorious truth of God’s love for them and that they would turn to Him and give Him praise, and at the sound of His name every knee would bow and tongue confess that He is Lord. The goal of our praying is worship.

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 

I love this last verse as Paul just seems to get caught up in this wonderful truth and declares “for this!”, for this I am called.