Reading taken from 1 Timothy 2:1-10  (Have it read  to you)

This 1 Timothy series follows on from our Biblical Church Structure series where we look at the church in Ephesus and Paul’s instructions to a church about how to conduct itself.

This week our Pastor Darren focuses in on prayer and it’s importance – please click here to see the notice sheet that he refers to with a list of the different types of prayer, or see the list below.

If you have any questions from the message today, or would like prayer as a result of things you hear, please contact us, we would love to pray for you.

The prayer of faith: James 5:15 says, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.” In this context, prayer is offered in faith asking God to heal. When we pray, we are to believe in the power and goodness of God (Mark 9:23). James 5:16 continues that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

The prayer of agreement (also known as corporate prayer): After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Later, after Pentecost, the early church “devoted themselves” to prayer (Acts 2:42). This is something we looked at in the baptism course, after baptism we continue to meet up, learn, break bread and pray together.

The prayer of request (supplication / petition): We’re to bring requests to God. Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Part of winning the spiritual battle is to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph 6:18).

The prayer of thanksgiving: There is another type of prayer in Philippians 4:6: thanksgiving or thanks to God. “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” And many examples of thanksgiving prayers can be found in the Psalms.

The prayer of worship: This is similar to the prayer of thanksgiving. The difference is worship focuses on who God is; thanksgiving focuses on what God has done. Church leaders in Antioch prayed in this manner with fasting: “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ After fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3).

The prayer of consecration: Sometimes, prayer is a time of setting ourselves apart to follow God’s will. Jesus made such a prayer the night before His crucifixion: “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).

The prayer of intercession: Many times, our prayers include requests for others as we intercede for them. We are told to make intercession “for everyone” in 1 Timothy 2:1 as we read a moment ago, and Jesus serves as our example in this area. The whole of John 17 is a powerful and amazing prayer of Jesus on behalf of His disciples and all believers.

The prayer of imprecation: Imprecatory prayers are found in the Psalms (e.g., 55, 69 and 109). They are used to invoke God’s judgement on the wicked and thereby avenge the righteous. The psalmists use this type of appeal to emphasise the holiness of God and the surety of His judgement. Jesus teaches us to pray for blessing on our enemies, not cursing (Matthew 5:44-48).

The Bible also speaks of praying in or with my spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) both with prayers and song, with understanding and when we are unable to think of adequate words (Romans 8:26-27) says that in those times, the Spirit Himself intercedes or pleads for us in harmony with Gods will.

To be very practical without making this too complicated, prayer is a conversation with God and should continue without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and it should be joyful!! We simply cannot have a relationship with God if don’t have the desire to talk / hang out with Him.