DIGGING DEEP NO. 1117

January 6, 2026

1 Timothy (Part 2)

SERVICE OR CIRCUS

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–8

“Let all things be done decently and in order”
(1 Corinthians 14:40)
is a basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church.

Apparently, young Timothy was having some problems applying this principle to the assemblies in Ephesus. The public worship services were losing their order and effectiveness because both the men and the women in the church were disobeying God’s Word.

To put things under control, Paul exhorted the men and the women in the church and reminded them of their spiritual responsibilities.

The Men Praying — The Priority of Prayer

Prayer is very important in the public worship of the church. It is sad to see how prayer has lost importance in many churches.

A pastor once lamented:

“If I announce a banquet, people will come out of the woodwork to attend. But if I announce a prayer meeting, I’m lucky if the ushers show up!”

Many churches spend more time on announcements than they do in prayer.

Much prayer, much power.
No prayer, no power.

Prayer was a major part of apostolic ministry. When we come to prayer, our hearts must be right with God and with each other. We must be prepared to pray, not simply to please people like the Pharisees
(Matthew 6:5)
or to fulfill a religious duty.

When a local church ceases to depend on prayer, God ceases to bless its ministry.

The Variety of Prayer

Supplications

This carries the idea of offering a request for a felt need. We are praying to God; prayer is an act of worship, not just an expression of our wants and needs. There should be reverence in our hearts as we pray.

Intercessions (Petitions)

This means to draw near to a person and converse confidently with him. It suggests that we enjoy fellowship with God and therefore have confidence in Him as we pray.

Giving of Thanks

Thanksgiving is definitely a part of worship and prayer. We not only give thanks for answers to prayer, but for who God is and what He does for us in His grace.

Thanksgiving should be an important ingredient in all our prayers. Sometimes, we need to imitate David and present to God only thanksgiving, with no petitions at all
(Psalm 103).

Prayer with Thanksgiving

Prayer and supplication (petition) with thanksgiving are part of Paul’s formula for God’s peace in our hearts
(Philippians 4:6).

It is worth noting that Daniel, the great prayer warrior, practiced this kind of praying
(Daniel 6:10–11).

The Objects of Prayer

(1 Timothy 2:1–2)

We should pray for:

• the unsaved and the saved

• people near and people far away

• enemies as well as friends

The church should especially pray for those in authority. Even when we cannot respect men or women in authority, we must respect their offices and pray for them. In fact, it is for our own good that we do so
(1 Timothy 2:2).

The early church faced opposition and persecution, so it was wise to pray for those in authority.

The Reasons for Prayer

Prayer brings many benefits, but more importantly, it pleases the Lord. It pleases the Father when His children pray as He has commanded.

The Pharisees prayed to be praised by men
(Matthew 6:5)
or to impress other worshippers
(Luke 18:9–14).

True Christians pray to please God.

The purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.

God’s will includes the salvation of lost souls. We can pray for all people because it is God’s will that all come to the knowledge of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

• God loved the world — John 3:16

• Christ died for the whole world — 1 John 2:2; 4:14

• Jesus died to draw all people to salvation — John 12:32

This includes Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, religious and pagan — all without distinction.

If God does not want anyone to perish, why are so many lost?

God is longsuffering with sinners, delaying judgment so they may come to Christ
(2 Peter 3:9).

But salvation depends on knowing the truth
(1 Timothy 2:4).

Not everyone has heard the gospel, and many who have heard have rejected it.

We therefore have the responsibility to:

• pray for lost souls — Romans 10:1

• make ourselves available to share the gospel

The Basis for Prayer

Since there is only one God, there is only one Mediator — Jesus Christ.

No other person qualifies.

Jesus Christ is both God and man. Through His perfect life and substitutionary death, He satisfied the just demands of God’s holy law.

He was the ransom for all.
His death was on behalf of all.

Though Christ’s death is effective only for those who trust Him, it is sufficient for the sins of the whole world
(Matthew 20:28).

Christ died for all, and God is willing for all to be saved.

God calls and ordains messengers to take this gospel to lost sinners. This good news is not for Jews only, but also for Gentiles.

Three Essentials for Effective Prayer

Paul stated three requirements:

1. Holy Hands

This means a holy life
(2 Samuel 22:21; Psalm 24:4).

2. Without Wrath

We must be on good terms with one another. A person who constantly has trouble with other believers — a troublemaker rather than a peacemaker — cannot pray and receive answers from God.

We should do all things without murmuring and disputing
(Philippians 2:14).

3. Without Doubting

We must pray in faith. A double-minded person cannot receive anything from God
(James 1:5–8).

Conclusion

Effective prayer demands that I be in right relationship with God and with my fellow believers.