Title: Why Do Believers Need to Pray?
Text:
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Observation:
The Apostle Paul is saying to the church that it is impossible to do the work of God in the world unless we make prayer the number one priority. He gets right to the point when he said, "First of all".
Is prayer of first importance in your church? Notice the breath and length of Paul's exhortation to pray.
- First of all pray.
- Pray all kinds of prayer (supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving).
- Pray for all people.
Paul admonishes and encourages the believers to pray for kings and all who are in high positions. Make a list of the people in high positions that you are complaining about, and begin to pray for them.
My brothers and sisters it is high time that we name the enemy that we face, and his motive.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
This is why God's people should pray, and the results we get when we pray without ceasing.
Psalm 34:17-19 (ESV)
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Prayer:
Father, I cry out to You and ask You to enable us who are believers to be obedient in doing our part. Lord, we acknowledge that those in high positions are accountable to You for how they exercise their authority.
Father, we cry out for grace and mercy that will be sufficient to see us through these difficult days. Father, give us faith to trust You more, and to never give up.
Father, give us courage to continue to do what is good and pleasing in Your eyes. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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