First Things First

December 15, 2018

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. —1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG

“Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.   —1 Timothy 2:8-10 MSG

Prayer is at the heart of all God wants to do through us. It’s the first and most important part of anything we do for him. I work hard at my job. I prepare as best I can for preaching, studying, thinking, writing. And praying. But I often step into the pulpit with this nagging thought that of all the preparation, I didn’t do enough praying, asking for God to intervene specifically in the lives of those listening. 

General prayers receive general answers. Our prayers are often so general we wouldn’t be able to tell whether or not they are answered. Paul tells his young protege Timothy that the most important thing he can do is to pray. It’s the first thing...and the last thing. So tonight as I review for tomorrow’s worship, I’ll pray. Specifically. By name, one by one, thanking God for them, asking that the Word will accomplish his purposes in their lives for the sake of his Name.