Friends,
I trust it would not be out of line for me to quote Scripture back to you, “But know this: hard times will come in the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1)
Few would argue this point, yet how divided we stand in the remedy. Whether to take to the streets or to give ground. To stand and fight or flee to the mountains. Where to draw the line and where to turn the other cheek. When to speak and when to keep silent.
In all this wrangling, and certainly angst for some of us, I fear we have forgotten the ancient path, which is the good way — following in the footsteps of simple obedience.
Beginning here, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone…so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1)
A case could be made for a number of other activities to come second, but first of all, then, with lamp and light in hand, led us tread the ancient path once more — praying according to His word.
But how? Let’s start off together, today.
I’ve gone through 2 Timothy and pulled out the prayers, warnings, commands, desires, and instructions. As much as possible, I did not rewrite the sacred text, though you will see where I have inserted a blank. This is for you to personalize the prayer, which might sound something like this:
Whereas Paul says of himself, “There is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”
We may pray, “Lord, reserve for my children a crown of righteousness,” and, “Help my wife to love and keep growing in her love for Your appearing.”
Praying according to the Scriptures keeps us walking the ancient path, joining with the multitude of saints who have gone before us, that great company of faithful witnesses, and stops us from going our own way and asking amiss.
Because what you may find as you get into this list, is that your current prayers do not align with His word (and thus His will) or that at the very least, they leave out a necessary ingredient of the glorious feast that is the whole counsel of God.
For example, as Paul instructs Timothy to, “Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God,” we may request the same, “Help me to share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.”
Praying for suffering to come to you and those you care most about, even as we also pray to be rescued from all persecution, is likely not something often found on the lips of most Christians. We’re quick to want to relieve pain, avoid difficulty, and offer sympathies (all while potentially getting in the way of the refining work God may be trying to do). Yet we’re told, “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” and, “Our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” So let us pray to be counted worthy to suffer!
I hope the exercise below inspires a new love for the Word, renewed energy to pray, and, as always, both a higher and closer view of God. These are hard times. First of all, then, we must pray.
In love,
Derek
P.S. I hope to write more on the importance of prayer soon. For those on the mailing list, you’ll see this in your mailbox soon. For everyone else, I’ll add the writing to the online folder, where you can always read and print for free.
Praying According to 2 Timothy 1
Grace, mercy, and peace for _______ from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord
Share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God
Save and call _______ with a holy calling, not according to _______’s works, but according to Your own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began
Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching
Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in _______
Grant mercy to the _______ household
Grant that _______ obtain mercy
Praying According to 2 Timothy 2
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
Lord, give _______ understanding in everything
Remember Jesus Christ
Endure all things for the elect, so that they also may obtain salvation
Be diligent to present yourself before God, approved, a worker not ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth
Let _______, as one calls upon the name of the Lord, turn away from wickedness
Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace
Cause _______ to call upon the name of the Lord from a pure heart
Grant _______ repentance, leading to the knowledge of truth
Help _______ come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will
Praying According to 2 Timothy 3
Avoid those who hold to the form of godliness but deny its power
Help _______ be able to learn and come to the knowledge of the truth
Not to resist the truth
Follow the Apostle’s teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, along with his persecutions and sufferings
May the Lord rescue _______ from all persecutions
Continue in what _______ have/has learned and firmly believe
Let _______ not deceive or be deceived
Help _______ know the Scriptures, so _______ may be complete, equipped for every good work
Help _______ know the Scriptures which are able to give wisdom for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
Praying According to 2 Timothy 4
Preach the word
Be ready in and out of season
Rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching
Not to turn away from hearing the truth
Not to turn aside to myths
Exercise self-control
Endure hardship
Do the work of an evangelist
Fulfill your ministry
Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith
Reserve for ______ the crown of righteousness
Love His appearing
Not to love this present world
May the Lord stand by and strengthen ______ so that the word might be fully preached
Rescue _______ from the lion’s mouth
Rescue _______ from every evil work and bring _______ safely into His heavenly kingdom
The Lord be with _______ spirit
Grace with with _______