The prayer we are reflecting on is, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:3-5). In this thanksgiving prayer, Paul gives thanks for Timothy on two counts: Timothy’s faith, which he inherited from his mother and grandmother, and Timothy’s love for Paul. We talked about Timothy’s sincere faith already. So, today, we want to consider Timothy’s love for Paul.
Read MoreThe prayer we are reflecting on is, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:3-5). In v. 3, Paul mentions how he serves God with “a clear conscience.” He speaks of conscience more than any other New Testament writer: of the 30 times conscience is mentioned in the New Testament, 20 of them are by Paul.
Read MoreToday, we move on to 2 Timothy. The first prayer we will reflect on is, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:3-5). Paul begins with a prayer of thanksgiving and goes on to reflect on certain things about Timothy. But it is easy to see that what he remembers about Timothy is part of his thanksgiving.
Read MoreWe will have one more reflection on 1 Tim. 2:1-2: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Last Friday, we were reminded that, though we cannot avoid suffering in this life, it is not wrong for us—in fact, we are commanded(!)—to pray for peace and stability in our society. Today, let’s talk about why.
Read MoreLet’s continue our reflection on Paul’s commands to Timothy to pray: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Yesterday, we talked about the importance of praying for our leaders. Today, we will focus on what we should pray for: “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Read MoreLet’s continue our reflection on Paul’s commands to Timothy to pray: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Yesterday, we talked about the different kinds of prayer, which are listed in this command. Today, we will focus on his emphasis on the intercessory prayer: “for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions....”
Read MoreLet’s continue our reflection on Paul’s commands to Timothy to pray: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). We have been talking about the primary of prayer. Today, let’s talk about the content of his command.
Read MoreToday, we continue our reflection on Paul’s commands to Timothy to pray: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Yesterday, we talked about the heavy emphasis Paul places on prayer in this command. In doing so, we addressed the question of primacy between the Word of God and prayer. Today, let’s do the same between prayer and action.
Read MoreToday, we will begin our reflection on one of Paul’s commands to pray: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Read MoreThe prayer we are reflecting on is, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent...” (1 Tim. 1:12-13). In our last meditation on this prayer, let us consider the first part: “I thank him who has given me strength....”
Read More