Pray:
Lord, thank You for the privilege of being part of the revealing and healing work You are doing in and through me.
Read:
1 Timothy 2:1-15
Reflect:
Who is the Lord calling you to pray for?
Pray for "all people," says Paul (1), because Jesus died "for all people" (6). So not just our usual church-focused prayer list, then! Paul's concern for "Gentiles" meant everyone who wasn't Jewish (7)--his prayers were for the whole world!
Now we turn to the tough verses (8-15). The key message here is that worship, especially prayer, is at the heart of who we are and what we do as God's people. And when we worship, it's not all about us--it's all about God! It's not about the fights we're having with others in the church (8), nor about how attractive we appear (9), nor about who has the final, authoritative word (11). Let's make sure no one wants to look our way, but only God's way. We need to get these things sorted out so that they don't distract us. We've got to be able to focus on giving our best to God--our prayer attitude is important (8) and so is the way we live day by day (10).
Then we'll keep the main thing the main thing--"praying big" for people to be saved (1-7).
Apply:
Write out some things you feel the Lord is calling you to pray for. Pray for them.
Pray:
Good Shepherd, You are always watching over Your church and seeking to save the lost. Give us hearts to join You.
