1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 MAKING A STAND ON OUR KNEES
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
When St. Paul wrote about worship he said that first of all, that is, the primary activity of worship is prayer. If everything we do as members of body of Christ on earth is to announce and demonstrate the purpose and direction of God through Jesus Christ to the world, then when we worship through prayer we should keep God’s intention in mind.
Prayer is the center of worship and a worshipful life. In prayer we make the connection between the world and God. First, we acknowledge that God is sovereign and that we are totally dependent upon him. Second, we show our love for God by sharing with him those things that are on our hearts; our loves, hurts, disappointments, successes, desires, repulsions…everything. Third, we open ourselves up to the revelation of God’s will by seeking his counsel in all our situations and circumstances. And fourth, we manifest our love for our neighbor, and therefore, our obedience to God, by praying for our neighbors, whether they are believers or not, church members or non-members, friends or enemies, or those who serve us or under whom we serve.
As we look at the world around us, it appears that false teaching has taken the upper hand. Whether it is in the church, the school, the hospital or the public square, the rejection of the Christian worldview seems to be growing and becoming more blatant. Our natural tendency is to separate ourselves from those who proclaim another gospel. Yet, who is St. Paul telling Timothy to have his people keep in their prayers? Timothy was in Ephesus which was very much in the Roman Empire. So, Timothy is to make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for none other than the Roman Emperor, Nero (AD 54-68)! Realizing that all true authority ultimately comes from God (Romans 13:1-2), maybe when we are standing for the truth our weapon of choice should be prayer; our knees rather than our feet.
Dear God, make me an instrument of your peace. Inspire me to pray constantly and consistently for the world and people around me. Give me a double portion of your Spirit so that I might be able to pray for those who wrong, persecute or try to harm me because I try to stand for your truth. Correct me where I am wrong and empower me when I am obedient. But most of all Lord, help me to stay in prayer before you. Amen.