Strategic Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1-8: 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. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle–I am telling the truth, I am not lying–and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Paul gives Timothy a strategy for prayer in the text above. He tells Timothy to pray for all people. We must be the people who are committed to praying for heart change in the lives of people who lead us, in the lives of people we love and in the lives of those who live in our sphere of influence. The benefit, according to verse 2, is that peace and quiet will result.
Everyone needs prayer, especially those who don’t yet know Christ. Pray for open doors and open hearts this week for those you know who aren’t believers. Ask God to use you to win them to Him.
We also are encouraged to pray all kinds of prayers. We need to ask God for what we need. We need to view prayer as a means of communication with God and as an act of worship as we adore Him in prayer. We need to support one another and care for one another through the ministry of intercession. We also need to pray prayers of thanks to God for all He does in and through our lives.
We also see that how we come to God in prayer is very important. Verse 8 tells us we are not to approach God with anger and disputing and drama in our hearts. Prayers of confession clear the way for God to hear our requests.
Prayer should be a priority for all believers. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we seek the Kingdom of God and we seek to live and walk in righteousness, God directs our paths, gives us His mind, and makes us aware of His presence as He provides for us.
Pray to exercise your God-given authority. When we develop and use a strategy for prayer that includes praying for God’s will, God’s way, in God’s time, for all people with all kinds of prayers and with the right heart and motive, God will enable us to exercise power and authority over the enemy who is at work in our lives to steal from us and to kill and destroy our lives. Prayer helps us tap into abundant life that is promised in John 10:10.
Let’s pray the price this week! God partners with us in power when we pray!
Pastor Melissa
