PRAYER IN PUBLIC WORSHIP

I Timothy 2:1-8

I.    INTRODUCTION:

    A.      Prayer is a great source of Christian strength.  We read, “Pray without ceasing” in I Thessalonians 5:17, and we sing, “Pray All The Time”.

    B.      This lesson has to do with public prayers.  Prayer was an important part of the worship of early Christians.

                       i.      Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 

            ii.      Acts 13:3 – “Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

            iii.  Acts 20:36 – “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.”

            iv.   I Corinthians 14:15 – “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”

II.    THE CONTENT OF PUBLIC PRAYER.

        A.      PRAYER.

                             i.      This is the general term, and it includes any one or all of the other forms mentioned in this text.

               ii.   The contents of this word are unrestricted, an it is used only of our talking to God (not to man).

               iii.      It is a term of reverence and devotion emphasizing one’s frame of mind in prayer.  It is found in:

                    1.      Acts 2:42.

                    2.      Acts 10:4 – Cornelius – “Your prayers and alms…”

                    3.      Acts 16:13 – Lydia – riverside on the Sabbath – prayer.

                    4.      James 5:17 – Elijah – “he prayed earnestly that it would not rain…”

        B.      SUPPLICATION:

                             i.      This word refers to a petition for a particular benefit; a request for need.  To seek, ask, entreat.  We are taught to ask God for blessings.

                    1.      Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread…”

                    2.      Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it    will be opened to you.

                    3.      James 4:2 – “…Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”

                                                             ii.      The idea of personal need is emphasized in this word, and it is used of our request of man as well as God

                                                            iii.      It is found in such passages as:

1.      Luke 1:13 – Zacharias…”For your prayer is heard…”

2.      James 5:16 – “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

3.      I Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers…”

4.      Romans 10:1 – “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”

5.      Song:  “For You I am praying”.

                 C.     INTERCESSION:

a.      This word literally means, “a falling in with”.  A “free, familiar prayer such as boldly draws near” (Treach).  “A coming together…a meeting with.”

                                                                           i.      Genesis 18:23 – “And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?”

b.      The idea of freedom and boldness of access is inherent in the word.  The noun is found in:

                                                                           i.      I Timothy 4:5 – “Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.”

                                                                         ii.      (verb) Romans 8:27 – “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (34). Romans 11:2 – “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.  Or do you not know what the Scriptures says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying…”

c.      It is translated “Plead, petition, intercede”

                                                                           i.      John 17:20 – “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word…”

                                                                         ii.      Colossians 1:9 – “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

                                                                        iii.      We learn it is right to petition God in behalf of others.

                 D.     THANKSGIVING:

a.      This word expresses gratitude for all of life’s blessings.  Gratitude and joy are emphasized, and examples may be found in:

                                                                          i.      Psalms 100

                                                                         ii.      Matthew 15:36 – “And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciple gave to the multitude.”  (4,000 men + women and children).

                                                                        iii.      Philemon 4 – “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers.”

                                                                       iv.      Romans 1:8 – “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

                                                                         v.      Song:  Doxology – “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…:

b.      Thanksgiving is a vital part of our present Christian life, and it shall continue in heaven.

                                                                           i.      Revelation 4:9 – “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever.”

                                                                         ii.      Revelation 7:12 – (angels, 4 living creatures) “saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

c.      Praise.

                                                                          i.      Matthew 6:9

                        d.      Confession

                                                                          i.      Matthew 6:12

e. Concerning these terms, it is not necessary that all be included in every prayer, but at some time, in each worship assembly, all ought to be included.