In I Timothy 2:1-8, the Apostle Paul gives us instructions for prayer. In verses 1-2a, he tells us who to pray for. We are to pray for all people, especially those in authority. Paul then shows us in verses 2b-3 why we should pray for all people. We should pray for everyone, so we may have quiet, peaceable lives and this is what God would have us do.
Now, in verses 4-6, he points out some important attributes of God. Look at verse 4. He wants everyone to be saved! Then, verse 5 tells us there is one God, not many, and one mediator between God and mankind. Jesus Christ is our mediator. He is our only channel of prayer to God the Father and it is for this reason we pray in Christ's name. Verse 6 reminds us that Jesus gave His life for us. He made Himself a ransom. He took our place on the cross at Calvary so we could be reconnected with God the Father.
Paul, in verse 7, shows us why we should listen to him, his authority through Jesus Christ as an Apostle. Remember, the Apostles were men who had seen the resurrected Christ and we today are disciples or followers of Christ, not apostles.
To bring this all together, we are to: pray for everyone because God wants us to and it brings peace to our lives, pray in Jesus' name because he is our only mediator to the one and only true God, and verse 8 tells us to pray everywhere with faith that God will answer us.
Remember as you go through the week to pray for others and watch God work in not only others' lives, but your own as well.
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