Pray First
Pray First • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsA message introducing our 2022 Theme "Pray First" and explaining the Biblical Practice of Prayer.
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I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
The story i told of a man who encountered a bit of trouble while flying his little airplane. He called the control tower and said, “Pilot to tower I’m 300 miles from the airport, six hundred feet above the ground, and I’m out of fuel. I am descending rapidly. Please advise. Over.” “Tower to the Pilot.” the dispatcher began, “Repeat after me. “Our Father who art in heaven...”
Introduction
Introduction
I want to teach you a word in sign language this morning. First you make two f hands in front of your body and connect them together at the thumbs. Then you disconnect them and move your hands up approx 4 inches and reconnect them at the thumbs like so. This is the word important. It pictures taking something from the bottom of a pile and moving it to the top because it is important. Like the pilot in our story, he encountered a dispatcher who felt that prayer was the last resort. The only thing left to do. But in reality prayer is not the last thing that we should do, it is the first.
Our theme in 2022 is Pray First. It grows out of the Scripture in Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
At the top of your bulletin this morning you can read these words:
Before the day begins — Before you go to bed — Before you go to work or school — Before you send that text — Before you eat, drive or travel — When bad things happen — Before bad things happen —In every situation — PRAY FIRST!
To introduce this simple, yet profound concept today we will look at 1 Timothy 2:1-4. 1st and 2nd Timothy along with Titus are the Pastoral Epistles, the events referred to in them take place after those recounted in the book of acts. Paul mentions Timothy more than anyone else. It seems Timothy became a believer under the ministry of Paul at the town of Lystra in Modern day Turkey during his second missionary journey. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in several epistles. Paul begins in Chapter 1 by instructing Timothy to be watchful of false teachers then in Chapter 2 he turns his attention to public worship. Look at 1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Paul says, “I exhort...” The Greek word used here is “Parakaleo” It is a verb that literally means I beg you, I implore you, I call you to my side. so you can see how important this is. to...
First of all.
Paul says Pray First.
Today in our message we will explore the three things Paul express to Timothy about prayer that will help us understand it’s importance in our Christian life.
Body
Body
The Pattern of Prayer
The Pattern of Prayer
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Those of you who have been here any amount of time know that I feel you need to SPIT out your Prayers
Supplications
Prayers
Intercession
Thanksgiving
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Supplication – The action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Prayer – A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.
But if they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
Intercession – The action of intervening on behalf of another.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
The People of Prayer
The People of Prayer
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Does the Bible tell us for whom we should pray? The Bible does give us at least 8 people for who we should pray
One Another - James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Pastors - Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The Sick - James 5:14-16
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Political Leaders - 1 Timothy 2:2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Our Enemies - Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Israel - Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.
Ourselves - Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
The Purpose of Prayer
The Purpose of Prayer
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
As a young youth pastor in my first ministry I engaged our youth group in a debate. 30 years later the topic of the debate escapes my mind. We divided the group into two teams and each team was to take an opposing position. The one team ended the debate before it even began, The spokesperson for the team said, “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.” While I wanted them to be able to understand their faith and be able to defend it. There answer was true. It would be easy to say God commanded us to pray and that is all the reason we need. But that is not what the apostle Paul tells young Timothy. He presents not all the reasons we should pray here, but here are 3 specific reasons.
Number 1 - For our benefit.
Number 2 - For God’s Glory
Number 3 - For other’s Salvation
Conclusion
Conclusion
As a Christian we are challenged to do many things. Go to church, read the Bible, Give our tithes, witness to the lost, serve others, be good citizens, and so much more.
We may be tempted to ask, “What is the most important thing we can do? What should I do first?”
Important - It starts at the bottom and goes to the top.
Today the Apostle Paul has challenged us that the most important and the first thing we should always do is pray.
Because it starts at the bottom with us and goes to the top, to God.
If you make no other resolution this year, will join me in this simple pledge
“Before the day begins — Before you go to bed — Before you go to work or school — Before you send that text — Before you eat, drive or travel — When bad things happen — Before bad things happen —In every situation — I will PRAY FIRST!”
Let’s bow our heads in Prayer.