1 Timothy 2:2

"For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

After urging Timothy to pray, Paul focuses his directions by clarifying that in addition to praying for all people, we are to pray particularly for those in authority over us. The underlying motivation for praying for those in authority over you is to allow for peaceful and quiet lives, which might seem to be self-centered. But our comfort is not the end goal; the type of peaceful and quiet lives Christians are to live should be characterized by godliness and dignity.

It is possible to live godly, dignified lives during times of intense persecution. But persecution is not a necessary prerequisite to godliness. Sometimes believers in free societies assume that all believers in persecuted places are super-saints. But this is simply not so. Persecution does have the effect of purifying the church. But it also strips believers of their dignity and at times pushes them to ungodliness. Think of Peter, cursing!

My Prayer: God, thank you for allowing me to lead a peaceful, quiet life. May it always be so. The world is not your friend. There are those who hate me because they hate you. Restrain those in authority over me from demonstrating their hate in harmful ways. Give me the liberty to glorify you freely.

1 Timothy 2:1

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people"

Because of the high stakes nature of spiritual ministry dealt with in chapter one, Paul now urges Timothy toward something of great importance. He urges him to pray, but this is no casual urging. Paul uses language the conveys the idea of pleading to the point of begging that "first of all," of greatest spiritual importance, if we are to have a whole ministry, we must pray.

And Paul doesn't just stop the superlatives leading up to the call to prayer. In the call to prayer, he uses four words to describe our prayer ministry.

1. Supplication - making request
2. Prayers - general communication
3. Intercessions - prayers for others
4. Thanksgiving - expressing gratitude to God

Before we do anything, we are to talk to God about everything. Before we minister to anyone, we are to talk to God about everyone.

How often do I act alone? I make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings last of all. When all I have done fails, I ask God why He isn't working. How presumptuous! How faithless!

My prayer: God, transform my priorities. In life and ministry may I pray first of all.