Praying For Others

  The early church practices consisted of: daily Bible reading, teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”    Acts 2:42-47  (NIV)

            In what way is prayer important to MCCC?  
            Does it have an effect on our individual personal prayer life?

Read:  I Timothy 2:1-8 
Paul teaches Timothy the importance of prayer

I.   v1  We are to be concerned for all people
            a)  Entreaties - supplications
    * A  request to God that certain needs be met
    * Brings an awareness of our complete dependence upon God
            b)  Prayers
     * For needs that are always present (wisdom, guidance, strength)
            c)  Petitions
     * Pleading on behalf of others-  intercessory prayer  (Genesis 18)
            d)  Thanksgiving
     * Often the most overlooked area of prayer-  gratitude

 II. v2  We are to pray for those in authority
     * Government officials-  for the good and   the bad 
     * Perhaps the most difficult prayer-  but, very important

III.  v4-6  God is concerned for all people
     * He is concerned for the  salvation of the world
     * God’s will is that all men be saved !   Matthew 28:19,20

God’s purpose is: 
1)  to seek and save that which is lost
2)  men must come to the knowledge of God’s truth
3)  men must recognize Jesus as the Christ

In his letter to James, Paul says: “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” 

James 5:15 ,16 (ESV)