June 10th, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Praying Community

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Sometimes, as I come before You, Lord, I bring hesitations and doubt. Enter my reticence with Your conquering love.

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.

Meditate

The interceding community is a powerful community. As the members pray, their intercession has multiple and wide effects.

Think Further

The center point of prayer is Jesus Christ (5-6). Jesus is the center of everything, and prayer brings us to that reality, to his presence. In other words, as we pray, we align ourselves with the center of everything. Jesus–not cultures, ideologies, or personal opinions–is the point of reference. The consequence is that life becomes aligned with God. And the apostle says that this truth gives a sense of mission and purpose in life (7).

Prayer brings about change in our lives. Who can be with God and not come out transformed? We see his glory and prostrate ourselves before him (Rev. 1:17-18). We recognize his authority over all other authorities (Col. 1:15-17). We understand his desires and we align our desires with Jesus Christ. We become conscious of the reality of our human condition and see ourselves as we are (Isa. 6:5). Before the throne of Jesus Christ, all personal arrogance disappears.

The Christian community comes to God in prayer and brings its concerns to his presence. One community concern is for those who serve in positions of authority (1-2), so that during their short time in power they will allow “godliness and holiness” (2) to flourish in society. Politicians definitely will pass, but godliness will remain before the throne of God.

The community brings men and women together in “lifting up holy hands” (8). Godliness and holiness (2) is the standard of living for the community. In the current days there is a tendency to consider fads and fashions as standards to rule our lives. But fads and fashions are transitory and temporal, and a few days later they will be no more. God invites us to his presence to find meaning that is permanent and long-lasting. The spiritual life, which includes prayer, is of permanent value; it is the way of staying in communication with the eternal God. At the same time, that communication will have an impact on daily living.

Apply

Describe the role of prayer in your life: Do you pray that you will change so you are in alignment with God’s will?

Closing prayer

Patient Lord, continue to be my prayer teacher. Grant me new understandings, new insights, and a renewed hunger for prayer.

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