Spiritual Discipline 4/2

Reference

1Timothy 2:1-4

Theme: Spiritual Discipline

Title: Making Prayer a Priority (urgency, importance)

Text: (1Timothy 2:1-4) ¹I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ²Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

God has chosen his Christians to help Him through prayer, to change the world

How? It’s only a mystery, but He has chosen us to pray for everyone

God’s desire is salvation is extended equally to all people, kings, presidents, governors, all in authority

That word “everyone” captures the nature of the gospel, the (Good News)

Introduction: Our Goal here on earth is to be like his Son, Jesus Christ

(Romans 8:29) ²⁹For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed (imitate, followed, obey) to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (NASB)

1. Prayer is Expected

In the book of Matthew, in chapter 6, Jesus teaches his disciples several things, how to give, how to pray, how to fast, He continues to teach them about money and lastly, He teaches them not to worry

Jesus prayed and He would withdraw to desolated places, so one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teaches us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

(Luke 5:16) ¹⁶But Jesus often (regularly) withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

But about Prayer, He teaches them, that prayer is expected

Matthew 6:5, “And when you pray, …”

Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, …”

Matthew 6:7, “And when you pray, …”

Matthew 6:9, “Pray then like this, …”

Luke 11:9. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.”

Luke 18:1, “Jesus tells his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up”

2. Prayer should be on daily bases

When we abandon prayer, is like fighting a battle with our own resources at best, there is a spiritual warfare between God’s kingdom and the kingdom of His Enemy (Satan)

(Colossians 4:2) ²Continue (stay) earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;