Hey all, it’s good to be back – I think – after all, I was told about that ankle monitor Tom mentioned in his sermon last week.  Yeah, not happening.  But anyway, here I am and we’re looking at another well-known, often ignored passage as part of our summer series on Biblical Priorities called “First Things First.”

This week, we’ll look at a topic where our knowledge usually exceeds our obedience — and that’s the Apostle Paul’s command to Timothy to “First Pray.”  There’s a lot of teaching on prayer in the Bible (no surprise there).  Some of it is obvious.  Some of it is challenging.  Some of it is even controversial.  But there is one teaching here in 1 Timothy 2:1-7, that, if we’re not careful, we will pass it by and miss something important.

Keep in mind that Paul is mentoring Timothy, a young pastor.  His letters to his protégé are full of wisdom, instruction, commands, helpful advice, and encouragement.  This is what you would expect from Paul, an older, wiser, more seasoned minister of the gospel.  And right before 1 Timothy 2 begins, Paul charges Timothy to hold on to his faith, to not be like others who have made a wreck of their faith.  I mention this because the first words in this chapter are, “First of all, then …” followed by instructions on prayer.

What are those instructions?  Why should they come first?  And what’s so important that we usually miss when it comes to the subject of prayer?  I hope you’ll find all the answers to be helpful (or at least interesting). 

See you Sunday, Dr. Dave

(Everyone wear a white shirt – just because).