The Nugget:
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 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. (KJV)
1Ti 2:1 First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people,
1Ti 2:2 for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. (GW, God’s Word translation)
1Ti 2:1 My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour. (Basic English Bible)
The Occasion:
The National Day of Prayer
My Comment:
It is clearly biblical to pray for our nation. Anyone who has followed the news knows we have much to pray for.
While it may be true that there are no political solutions to spiritual problems, we do need to address the political problems and moral issues of our time. Paul begins his exhortation by saying “First of all.” The first step is prayer. Paul mentions four different kinds of prayer: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. For help in understanding these types of prayer, make a study of the “Elements of Prayer” given in the Subject Index of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
Prayer, elements of
(1) adoration, +*Psa 71:8. (2) confession, +Psa 32:5 (T1317). +Luk 18:14 (T537). +Jas 5:16 (T1235). **1Jn 1:9. (3) petition, +*1Ti 2:1. (4) intercession, +*1Ti 2:1. (5) thanksgiving, +*1Ti 2:1.
Three of the Elements of Prayer are keyed to 1 Timothy 2:1. Here are the cross references to them given at 1 Timothy 2:1,
supplications. Gr. deēsis, [*S# G1162: Rendered (1) prayer: Luk 1:13; Luk 2:37; Luk 5:33, Rom 10:1, 2Co 1:11 note. 2Co 9:14, Php 1:4 a, Php 1:19, 2Ti 1:3, *Heb 5:7, +*Jas 5:16, 1Pe 3:12, (2) supplication: Act 1:14, Eph 6:18; Eph 6:18, Php 4:6, 1Ti 2:1; 1Ti 5:5, (3) request: Php 1:4 b]. 1Ti 5:5, Gen 18:22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 1Ki 8:41, 42, 43, Psa 67:1, 2, 3, 4; Psa 72:19; +*Psa 119:170, *Mat 6:9; *Mat 6:10, Eph 6:18, Php 4:4, +*Jas 5:16.
prayers. Gr. proseukē [*S# G4335: Mat 17:21; Mat 21:13; Mat 21:22, Mar 9:29; Mar 11:17, Luk 6:12; Luk 19:46; Luk 22:45, Act 1:14; Act 2:42; Act 3:1; Act 6:4; Act 10:4; Act 10:31; Act 12:5; Act 16:13; Act 16:16, Rom 1:9; Rom 12:12; Rom 15:30, 1Co 7:5, Eph 1:16; Eph 6:18, Php 4:6, Col 4:2; Col 4:12, 1Th 1:2, 1Ti 2:1; 1Ti 5:5, Phm 1:4; Phm 1:22, *Jas 5:17, 1Pe 3:7; 1Pe 4:7, Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3, 4]. 1Ti 5:5, Jos 1:17, 1Sa 10:25, +*Jer 10:25; Jer 29:7, +*Mat 6:9; +*Mat 6:10, Php 4:6, +*1Th 5:17, **Rev 8:3, 4, 5.
intercessions. Gr. enteuxis, [*S# G1783. 1Ti 4:5 g (prayer)]. 1Ti 4:5 g. +*Gen 17:20; +*Gen 18:32, Exo 32:11, +*Num 12:13; Num 14:19, 20, +*1Sa 12:23, *2Ch 30:18, 19, 20, Rom 8:27; Rom 11:2.
giving of thanks. Gr. eucharistia (S# G2169, Act 24:3). Rom 1:8; Rom 6:17, Eph 5:20, Php 1:3; +*Php 4:6, Col 3:15, 1Th 5:18, 2Th 1:3.
But we can do more than pray! The second step is for each of us to take the time every day (Acts 17:11) to read and study the Bible itself. As we become more familiar with Scripture, we will be more prepared to be instruments in God’s hands to meet the spiritual needs of others. We need to become workmen for God, who rightly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), so we can accurately share its truths with others God brings across our path or places in our circle of influence (1 Peter 3:15). This will happen quite naturally as we become more fully acquainted with the Bible. If it is not happening now in your life, it may be an indication that you need to grow spiritually by increasing your knowledge of God’s Word (2 Peter 3:18).
If we have a revival of Bible reading and Bible study among Bible believing, Bible studying Christians in this nation, our prayers for the nation’s spiritual and political welfare will be answered.