Pray Big
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for the privilege of being part of the revealing and healing work You are doing in and through me.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-15
[1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. [7] And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-I am telling the truth, I am not lying-and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. [8] Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. [9] I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, [10] but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. [11] A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. [12] I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. [13] For Adam was formed first, then Eve. [14] And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. [15] But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who is the Lord calling you to pray for?Pray for “all people,” says Paul (1), because Jesus died “for all people” (6). So not just our usual church-focused prayer list, then! Paul’s concern for “Gentiles” meant everyone who wasn’t Jewish (7)–his prayers were for the whole world!Now we turn to the tough verses (8-15). The key message here is that worship, especially prayer, is at the heart of who we are and what we do as God’s people. And when we worship, it’s not all about us–it’s all about God! It’s not about the fights we’re having with others in the church (8), nor about how attractive we appear (9), nor about who has the final, authoritative word (11). Let’s make sure no one wants to look our way, but only God’s way. We need to get these things sorted out so that they don’t distract us. We’ve got to be able to focus on giving our best to God–our prayer attitude is important (8) and so is the way we live day by day (10). Then we’ll keep the main thing the main thing–“praying big” for people to be saved (1-7).
Apply
Write out some things you feel the Lord is calling you to pray for. Pray for them.
Closing prayer
Good Shepherd, You are always watching over Your church and seeking to save the lost. Give us hearts to join You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.