-November 7, 2021-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We all know prayer is God’s will for all of God’s people. It is our communication systems with headquarters in heaven. God welcomes our prayers and desires that we pray always. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock.
Paul tells us first how to pray, then who to pray for, and finally how prayer benefits us all. Paul reminds us of several forms of prayer: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks. Each one is distinct and important. He then tells us who to pray for: all men, kings, and those in authority, and that prayer benefits us in being able to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence.
• Forms of Prayer – supplications are requests that we bring before the Lord for others and ourselves; prayers are speaking to the Lord, praising Him and worshiping Him; intercessions are asking God on behalf of others in need; and giving of thanks is clearly showing our gratitude to the Lord for giving us so much and answering our prayers. We thank the Lord that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, presenting our prayers in the best and most beautiful way. Jesus also intercedes for us to the Father.
• Who to pray for – We are told to pray for all men, meaning all men, women, and children, for their salvation and for those who are saved for their spiritual good, growth, and service. We are also to pray for kings and all those in authority. We are to pray for our president, Vice President, the members of Congress, the members of the Supreme Court, our governors, state legislators, and our local majors, city council members, and others. These folks need our prayers for wisdom to make the right decisions for us all. All let us not cease to pray for our church leaders, elders, pastors, deacons, and others in their very important work.
• The benefits we gain by praying – When we pray for those in authority, whether in our local church or in the government, we are blessed. Paul us that we are able to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence. Quiet lives are lives free of government interference, in freedom, liberty, and justice. Peaceable lives mean that there is peace in the nation, our state, and local communities. When we obey civil and spiritual authorities, we need not fear them. They are put in place by God for our good. Much is said about this in the NT.
Prayer is such a blessing in so many ways. It is hard work, and Satan will oppose us, but we must pray and keep on praying. Someone one said, “The devil will tempt you to omit prayer, postpone prayer, and shorten prayer.” Jesus said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. , The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Pray by night and by day, for that is the victorious and godly way!
Have a blessed day praying. Prayer not only gets us through the day, but makes the day better. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 