praying in hard days

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

1 Timothy 2:8

This is the second call to prayer in 1 Timothy 2. And it should be understood in the context of the first call to pray found in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. In that first call the apostle Paul categorizes types of prayer and people to pray for. Prayers come as worship prayers, supplications asking God to work, intercessions on behalf of others in need, and thanksgiving to God for His past powerful provision and gracious answers. 

And who do we pray for? First on Paul’s list was the government (kings and authorities)… specifically that Christians could lead peaceful, quiet, godly, and dignified lives. In an era of hostile persecution felt by all (Paul was, after all, writing these words from prison), this involved gospel-changed perspective and faith. This attitude in prayer Paul describes as “good” and “pleasing in the sight of God”, reflecting God’s own desire that all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

It is with that kind of prayer that Christian gatherings are conducted according to Paul. We can lift holy hands, not complaining, grumbling, or trying to counter our circumstances under our own power. Instead, we must trust God to Whom we lift up our intercessions to keep us from harm, help us spread the gospel attractively, and lead peaceful, quiet lives in Christ’s kingdom. And so we should pray today, turning our disillusionments, our pains, our needs, and our persecutions over in trust to God Who is doing more through them because He ALWAYS does what HE WANTS even if His Kingdom succeeds against opposition. Our prayers lift up God’s agenda and place ourselves under Him.