Prayer in the Church
I Timothy II
Michelle Connolly
We learned in the last chapter
how Paul helped Timothy as a new young pastor to fervently seek his ministry
that God bestowed upon him. We were taught through this letter to Timothy how
to recognize our ministry, even when it does not look the way we had expected
or planned.
In this next chapter (Chapter
Two) we learn about prayer in the church and how it should be done by both men
& women. This book is a very difficult one to discuss as there is much
confusing language and it is often misunderstood and represented by some.
I can only hope that this defines
God’s meaning of prayer in the church by men and women, as well as our behavior
in public.
2 Therefore I exhort first of
all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be
saved and to come to 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 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking
the truth in Christ[a] and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and
Women in the Church
8 I desire therefore that the
men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the
women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not
with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,10 but, which is proper for
women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence
with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman
to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first,
then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived,
but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.15 Nevertheless she will be
saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with
self-control.
So what of prayer? Is it important and why does Paul focus
on this in his letter? Take a moment to
ask yourself why prayer is important to you.
SUPPLICATION: an act or instance of supplicating; humble prayer, entreaty (earnest request), or petition.
“Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God”
It is through prayer that we can ask
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for our daily bread Matt 6:11.
For this reason we
were created
One of our roles as women of God is to be in prayer. It is through
prayer that we can speak over those who cannot speak for themselves. Having the
opportunity to represent our family at home and those we care for at church. It
is our way of guiding our husbands through their charge as head of household
and it is a way for single women to be heard and represented as well. And finally it is important that we remember
other reasons for prayer is that God wants us to ask and remind him of the
promises He has for us.
Our God is a God of
balance and reminds us
we have not because
we ask not
James 4:2.
Now the church at this time was
in complete disarray and Timothy did not know how to get the church back on
track and that is what the essence of the letter Paul wrote was, to guide
Timothy and remind the church how to pray. Unfortunately, due to the Judaizers (Jewish Christians who wanted to retain much of Jewish Legalism) it skewed the
perception of what church looked like and how women were treated in the church.
It has been said that Paul was trying to help the women to understand that
certain conduct was appropriate in church and that yelling out to their
husbands across the church was really not a good display of a Godly women.
This
of course made it possible for scripture to be taken out of context and could be
understood to mean that women are of lower class and should be subservient to men.
Scripture teaches us what a “Godly women” is throughout scripture.
To be a Godly women, a women of
pray and humility the Bible tells us, “Do not let your adorning be external --the braiding of hair and the
putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear –but let your adorning be
the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” I Peter 3:3-4.
We should be adorned inside with Jesus and the Holy Spirit….
1 Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord
as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a
reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” and
I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing…”
ADORNING: to decorate or add beauty to, as by ornaments to make more pleasing, attractive, impressive, etc.; enhance
Paul did everything he could to help explain to Timothy how
to handle things in regards to the issues of this time. This part of scripture and many throughout
the bible that discuss women’s role are often miss interpreted and miss
represented. This last verse in Timothy seems to sum up the importance of our
role as women of God and the need for prayer so that we can remember our path.
15 "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in
faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”
Our God is a loving God of both men and women, although our
role was forever changed due to sin in the garden, changing how we would live
to represent the fall and suffer. We can redeem ourselves as we remember to as
said in Ephesians 5:1.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice
to God.”
The Greatest Gift
1 Corinthians 13 13 Though I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and
all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not
parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its
own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in
the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then
that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a
child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man,
I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror,
dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as
I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love,
these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Take time this week to consider your own prayer life. Ask yourself again:
What is prayer to me?
Is it real? Do I believe God will answer?
If it is important how do I show this in my life?
We'd love to hear your thoughts.
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