Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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One Body and One Baptism
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Pradeep John
Connecticut Mar Thoma Congregation
1.First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.

 
Apostle Paul in his Pastoral Epistles instructs his younger co-workers on living out their faith and teaching others to live a life in faith. The first book of Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles which Apostle Paul wrote to his gospel co-worker Timothy. Apostle Paul directs Timothy to oppose false teaching, to hold up the standard of right doctrine and to show that right doctrine must result in proper living.
In the above key verse Paul emphasizes public worship and prayer. Apostle Paul gives a priority list and he exhorts that first of all we pray and give thanks before we do anything else. Keeping prayer first will focus the hearts and eyes of people on God from the beginning. Public worship is different from other gatherings because it recognizes the divine presence of God and all human problems are given lower priority. In the passage Paul list 3 forms of prayer and one form of praise.

 
1. Petitions or Supplications are request of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is to bear one another’s burdens as one body in Christ.

2. Prayers are about requests which God alone can meet. We should come together and offer prayers for our needs and others which only God can fulfill.

3.  Intercessions are corporate prayers in church which we make to the King of Kings for other people.

4. Thanksgiving which is to be done in all circumstances.(1 Thessalonians 5:18). Praise and Thanksgiving is what we do as a congregation when we participate in Holy Qurbana and sing Hymns. This expresses the greatness of our Almighty God.

 
Apostle Paul asks us to give supplications and prayers for all people without distinction, for leaders and for all in authority whose decisions affect our daily lives. Paul says that when we are in right relationship with God and pray for our leaders, He can maintain peace for us. As we pray for others, God will open ways for them to come closer to God and be saved. God desires all mankind to be saved and none should perish. Jesus is our one mediator who is both man and God and has given His life as ransom for the whole humankind that we may be saved. These requests may be beyond our understanding but Paul urges us to continue in prayer. All our prayers, offered sincerely in the name of Jesus, will come before God the Father as Jesus is the only way to the Father (St John 14:6).

PRAYER

Gracious God, grant us Your spirit that we may pray sincerely for all mankind according to Your will. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

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