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"Therefore I exhort first of all..."

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1

MINISTERING IN PRAYER

Praying was such a natural part of Paul’s life. It was not difficult for him to develop it into a ministry. It is not surprising to read of Paul encouraging Timothy to develop a prayer ministry.

1. Commencement of a Prayer Life

a) Paul wrote of prayer as a work of the Spirit of God.

i) The Spirit generates a new birth (John 3:8).

ii) He also teaches the born-again believer to pray to God as Father (Romans 8:15).

b) Understandably Paul cultivated his prayer life

i) As a believer (Acts 9:11).

ii) As he was aided by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:26).

2. Cultivation of his prayer life

a) Praying for friends dear to him (Philippians 1:3).

b) Praying for personal needs.

i) Praying for removal of his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8).

ii) Accepting God’s answer that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

c) Praying for churches.

i) For churches he did not found (Colossians 1:3).

ii) For churches that he had founded (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

d) He prayed with great insight

i) Praying for enlightenment to be given (Ephesians 1:15-19).

ii) Praying for faith to be rooted and grounded (Ephesians 3:14-21).

THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF ALL

The greatest example of all is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Prayer was such a real and significant part of His personal life and ministry.

1. He began His ministry fasting and praying (Matthew 4:2).

2. He prayed as High Priest (Hebrews 5:6-7).

3. He taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13).

4. He exhorted His disciples to persevere in prayer (Luke 18:1).

5. He concluded His ministry in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46; John 17).