In The Word
Read: 1 Timothy 2
A Call to Prayer
2 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed as a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Instructions for Believers
8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute. 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer. 15 But women will be preserved through childbirth—if they continue in faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The Father is pleased when His children pray as He instructs them. As Paul described in 1 Timothy 2:1, God wants us to talk to Him, sharing with Him about our lives, asking for His help, and thanking Him for being there for us and blessing us with good things. Daniel, the great prayer warrior, applied this kind of praying (Daniel 6:10-11). Jesus criticized the Pharisees because they prayed to impress other people and to receive praise by men, but true prayer is done to please God, which is best done by praying the will of God (1 John 5:14-15). Prayer is to have God’s will accomplished, not man’s will. That is why James declared, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3).
God wants us to pray for ourselves and other people, including those in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). Even if we cannot respect those in authority because of their ungodly behavior, we should respect their position and pray for them.
What is the current state of your prayer life? Is it abundant, passionate, and God-centered, or is it empty, selfish, and non-existent? If it is not what it should be, today is the best day to make a change. The Father loves you and is there for you, and prayer brings Him directly into your life’s reality.