Daily Bible Study

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Day 2 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the 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 a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. What is the most important thing you can do for anyone? What is the first thing you ask for when things go wrong? Prayer. Paul told Timothy to make prayer a priority starting with those in authority. He didn’t tell Timothy to pray for those people only if he agreed with them. Paul told Timothy to teach the people to pray regardless of how they felt about the person. After seeking the good of those in authority, then prayer was to be made for all people so they could live in peace knowing they sought God’s will and not their own. As Christians, you are to follow the same rule Paul gave Timothy, to pray for our leaders before praying for everyone else in your lives. Not excluding either because of how you feel about them. Everyone needs prayer and leadership is no exception. Too often we pray for our needs and forget about our neighbors, friends, coworkers, and those in leadership roles in our lives. We need to pray for others before we pray for ourselves. There are many models of prayer to teach you how to pray. ACTS – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. PRAYER – Praise, Remake, Attitude, Yummy, Expose Sin, Rescue. PRAYER – Protects the children, Renders justice, Alleviates pain and suffering, Yields positive purpose for the pain, Empowers the Holy Spirit, Rallies prayer warriors. Five Finger Prayer – Thumb – pray for those closest to you; Index finger – pray for those who teach you; third finger – pray for leadership; Ring finger – pray for the weak, sick, those facing problems; Pinky finger – pray for yourself JOY – Jesus, Others, Self As you can see there are many ways in which you can pray. Choose a model or make one up that will help you, and start praying. There is nothing better you can do for yourself than to pray for others before you pray for yourself. You will go to bed with a sense of peace every night when you do. Let’s pray: Father, help me lift up my leaders and those in authority over me in prayer. Help me seek Your will in praying for others before I pray for myself. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 13 May 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay