Free Bible Commentary
“1 Timothy 2:1-4”
Categories: 1 Timothy“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
How important a part does prayer play in your life and in your faith? Paul gives it a place of primary importance by “urging” us to consider this privileged avenue of communion with the Father in heaven “first of all” (verse 1). We should arise in the morning with our thoughts focused upon our dependency on our Protector and Provider. Our pillowed heads should rest in appreciation for the day that God blessed us with. And all points in between, we should be “instant in” (Colossians 4:2) and “devoted to prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Prayer is such a fundamental foundational element of our life in Christ that Paul mentioned the four primary “elements” or “forms” of a solid prayer life. We should make “entreaties” to the Lord for the things that we urgently need, and “prayers” that may be considered requests of a less critical nature. We should make “petitions” to God on behalf of the people that we know are in need of the Lord’s special care, and “thanksgivings” for all of the things, blessings, people and promises that fill our lives with joy and hope.
I can tell you from personal experience that if you frequently express appreciation to “the Father of lights” for “every good gift” (James 1:17), your prayer life will improve greatly, and your overall outlook on life will take a major upswing. There is no exact formula for the percentages of “entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings” that make for the best prayer life. But I’m thinking that if “thanksgivings” predominate and outshine the others, we are going to know a greater sense of God’s care, presence and blessings.
Well, who should we be making “petitions” for? The short answer is “all men” (people). When we pray for others, we actually make our own lives better. When we pray for those “who are in authority,” our petitions help to provide for us a more “tranquil and quiet life” (verse 2). One of the greatest and most worthwhile things that we can pray for others is that the Truth will touch their hearts, and that they will obey the Gospel and be saved. God “desires all men” (people) “to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (verse 4). Let’s please God. Let’s pray for people’s salvation, and let’s pray for open doors to personally be instrumental in helping them learn the truth.
Please read 1 Timothy 2:5-7 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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