Paul is instructing Timothy on prayer in this chapter. He requests that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men (verse 1).

Supplication comes from the Latin verb supplicare, which means “to plead humbly”. So in prayer it means to humbly seek the Lord either for ourselves or on behalf of another.

Scripture shows an intercessor to be a go-between or advocate who represents us or pleads our case to God. Intercessory prayer is where we stand in the place of one in difficulty or in trouble and plead or petition the Lord on their behalf.

Giving of thanks are prayers of praise for who God is and what He has done for us; they help us realise just how awesome our God is!!

Paul “exhorts” or urges strongly Timothy to ensure the church pray “for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.” No one appears to be excluded.

Paul explains why we should pray for all in verses 3 and 4, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” The knowledge of the truth refers to Christian growth after being saved. The Lord’s desire is not only our salvation but also our growth in the truth (sanctification) so that we will not be led astray by false teaching.

As we take the gospel to those who need to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, let us plead humbly before the Lord on their behalf and intercede by petitioning the Lord that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them “the one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for them”.

next devotional >>

 

 

NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH