Thursday, October 22, 2009

Life is hard...Pray harder

1 Timothy 2:1-7: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to 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, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle; I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

Paul was writing to his young protégé, Timothy. This young man was beloved by Paul and became a missionary partner on Paul’s journeys. After some time Timothy became the pastor of the church of Ephesus. Paul was writing his young friend about being a godly pastor. Paul wanted to impart some wisdom and some rules for church life. One of those guidelines that Paul wanted Timothy to live and teach was that of Prayer. To Paul, prayer was a lifeline between him and God. Paul was a man of Prayer and insisted that the Christ-followers of Ephesus be people of prayer.

For the believer prayer is the link between them and God. It is our way that we communicate with God. In all relationships communication is the key to a harmonious relationship. The same is true with our relationship with God. If we need strength, comfort, guidance, and wisdom the only way is to be in communication with our Lord. Paul, in his advice to Timothy advocated that prayers needed to be made for all people. Paul did not exclude anyone. In fact he wrote, “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”. There is no one in our lives does not deserve our prayers. Our friends, our family, our government, and our enemies all deserve our prayers. Why, you ask? Paul writes, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” By our prayers we may have influence in them coming to repentance. Jesus, in His teaching said we should love our enemies. This is not and abstract idea; rather it is a solid teaching that shows how we should love because we were loved by God even when we are unlovable.

Let prayer be your lifeline and your direct uplink to your God. Christ-followers not only should be praying regularly, we need to be praying for everyone, for it is a ministry that we all can be a part of.

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Jer. 9-10 New Testament I Tim. 3

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