Word of Encouragement (8/2/2021)
Today, 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).
Paul directs Timothy’s attention to this command with, “First of all....” Timothy was a young minister of the gospel. As a seasoned pastor/missionary, the very first thing he wanted to urge this young minister to do was to pray. As Timothy had to give this command the kind of attention it deserved, we should do the same and embrace wholeheartedly the primary importance of prayer in ministry. But does this apply only to ministers? No! Ministers are not a separate class of Christians, who live by a different set of rules. It is true that those “who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1) even as they are entitled to “double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17). But Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul would not allow us to say, “Paul, you are an Apostle. You are special. Don’t expect us to be as faithful and diligent and committed as you.” Are we not saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ as he was? Is his Apostleship more precious than the gift of eternal life we have received through the sacrificial death of God’s Son? If prayer is of primary importance in ministry, it is so also in our Christian walk.
Of course, we can debate which means of grace is more important between the Word of God and prayer. I’m sure most of us would consider the Word of God to be most important, and rightly so. After all, it is the Word of God, which tells us who God is, to whom we direct our prayer. Also, the Word of God contains not only the commandments to pray but also the instructions on, and examples of, how we ought to pray. But there is a kind of “circular” relationship between the two. It’s somewhat like “the hermeneutical circle”: unless you understand the parts, you cannot understand the whole story; yet, unless you understand the whole, you cannot understand (the true significance of) the parts, either. Similarly, all that we ought to know about prayer is in God’s Word. Yet, without prayer (by which we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Word), we cannot truly understand God’s Word.
As a seasoned pastor, Paul understood the importance of prayer in ministry (and in Christian walk). Ps. 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” If this applies to building a physical structure, how much more such spiritual matters as building the church of Jesus Christ and growing in sanctification? And what better expresses our dependence on God than our prayer?
How is your prayer life? Is it receiving the kind of attention it deserves? Our prayer life determines whether we are relying on our strength (which will make our labor come to nothing in the end) or on God (who alone can establish the work of our hands to have eternal significance). I am not talking about whether we can get things done. With much practice and training, we can get proficient enough to complete our tasks. I’m talking about the (spiritual) quality of our labor, which produces the fragrance of Christ. To that end, we must pray and do our work prayerfully. May the Lord move your heart to pray today and in the days to come!