Run Day 7 Running On A Prayer: Digging Deeper
March 11, 2025
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8
8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
The Original Intent
1) How do petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving differ? (verse 1)
Paul urged Timothy that “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:1) Some theologians argue that the difference in the terms is not greatly significant, like author Thomas Constable, who writes, “This is a Semitic literary device that groups synonyms to enhance the basic concept, namely, that Christians should pray all types of prayers for all people.”
However, others note the subtle nuances of each term used. Petitions are requests, asking for something from the Lord. (Philippians 4:6)
Prayer implies communication with God, pouring out our hearts to the Lord and waiting before Him in anticipation of His answer. (Psalm 62:8) Charles Bailey suggests prayer is “reverent devotion to God because of what He is capable of performing and providing. The root word suggests a meeting with God, one provided only for his obedient children.” (John 9:31, Proverbs 15:29, Proverbs 28:9)
Intercession is fervent, determined prayer on behalf of another. (James 5:16) Andrew Murray asserts, “The power of the Church truly to bless rests on intercession —asking and receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men.”
Prayers of thanksgiving offer gratitude for God’s blessings and gifts. (Psalm 92:1) C. S. Lewis wrote, “We ought to give thanks for all. If it is good, because it is good; if bad, because it works in us patience, humility . . . and the hope of [Heaven].”
What a blessing to have the privilege of prayer! Through prayer, not only can we communicate with God about our own needs and the needs of others, but we can also worship the Lord and draw closer to Him!
The Everyday Application
1) How do petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving differ? (verse 1)
I never appreciated birds until my children became interested in spotting them in our backyard. I could only recognize a few common types like blue jays and starlings, but through the eyes of my children, I discovered a more complex avian world. I worked to distinguish a mockingbird’s song from a cardinal’s trill, and I frequently grabbed my binoculars to identify what kind of woodpecker was hopping around the apricot tree. With delight, I identified a rose-breasted grosbeak and added it to our birding list.
I had known about birds in a general sense, but now I could identify and appreciate dozens of varieties because I am looking and listening for them. Just like discovering there is more to the birding world than sparrows and robins, so Paul’s admonition that “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:1) opened my eyes to understand that prayer is also multi-faceted.
While all prayer is some form of communicating with God, God calls us to pray in different ways at different times.
God invites us to petition Him, asking for what we need. (1 John 5:14) He also wants us to draw close to Him in prayer, spending time with Him to become more like Him and learn to discern His voice, sensing His friendship. (John 15:7) When God asks us to intercede, He wants us to pray fervently and persistently for others for their salvation or to receive His help. (Colossians 1:9-11) God also wants us to thank Him at all times for everything. (Ephesians 5:20)
Having gratitude, according to Ann Voskamp, means “we intentionally notice all the everyday things, and accept God’s grace, in all things, with thanks.” Lord, help us to pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17) in all the ways you have provided.
The Original Intent
2) How does prayer lead us toward living tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity? (verses 1-2)
Paul urged the early church that “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Paul promoted prayer for everyone, but particularly governing authorities, because those leaders controlled many aspects of their daily lives.
John Sartelle suggests “Paul was pressing the church to pray for the “Caesars” of this world, that the church might not live under the constant disruption and havoc of persecution.” Paul knew that praying for leaders could make a difference, and he wanted to ensure he had the freedom to carry out the work God had called him to do. (Acts 22:21)
Albert Barnes notes, “God has power to influence [leaders’] hearts, and to incline them to what is just and equal; and hence we should pray that a divine influence may descend upon them.”
Being tranquil and living a quiet life in godliness and dignity are not dependent upon having good neighbors or good leaders. God calls us to these things regardless of our circumstances (1 Peter 1:15) Still, livelihoods that aren’t restricted by government interventions and disputes with others allows Christians to focus on living like Jesus and sharing His love. It is no wonder, then, that Paul wrote with urgency and in detail about praying for everyone, especially our leaders.
The Everyday Application
2) How does prayer lead us toward living tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity? (verses 1-2)
My friend taught at a local high school, and he struggled to follow his department chair’s leadership. She had a very different philosophy of education than he did, and they didn’t see eye to eye on anything. She refused compromise or collaboration, and she didn’t care if her lack of diplomacy ruffled feathers.
One day, my friend was praying about the conflict, asking God to change the situation, when he felt impressed by God to start praying for her instead of about her. The Lord told him, “Pray for her; you don’t know what she is going through.” My friend obediently started praying for her, and soon his perspective changed.
They never shared the same perspective about most issues, but he was able to see her in a different light and not allow her negativity to impact his teaching. He went from feeling combative towards her to feeling compassion for her, all because of prayer.
My friend learned an invaluable “why” behind Paul’s entreaty to believers to let “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
God commands us to submit to leaders (Romans 13:1), but also to pray for them, because authorities have the power to enact laws and policies that affect our ability to carry out the will of the Lord, not necessarily our political agendas. Are we praying for our leaders with this mindset?
When we pray for our leaders, we acknowledge that God can direct their hearts wherever He chooses (Proverbs 21:1), and we petition Him to lead all authorities away from repression and persecution for Christians.
The Original Intent
3) Why does Paul exhort lifting hands in prayer without anger or argument? (verse 8)
Paul instructs Timothy to teach “the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” (1 Timothy 2:8) Charles Ellicott explains, “It was the Jewish practice, not only in taking a solemn oath—or in blessing—but also in prayer, to lift up the hands.” Paul’s emphasis wasn’t necessarily on physically raising hands in order to pray, rather his instruction was meant to train them on what to do when they did raise their hands: pray.
Paul wanted them to lift up holy hands, reminding them that, for whatever cultural purpose they raised their hands, they were to remember to pray, but also to live holy. Adam Clarke notes, “holy hands refer to the Jewish custom of washing their hands before prayer; this was done to signify that they had put away all sin and purposed to live a holy life.”
Part of living a holy life means putting off anger or divisiveness when coming to pray. God warns that acting in anger and indulging rage will bring harm (Psalm 37:8) Charles Bailey states, “Either anger or doubting (disputing), when entertained in the heart, serves as a hindrance to a Christian’s prayer.”
God knows the intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12), and He wants us to do away with our anger and arguing, coming instead with pure hearts ready to hear from Him and be changed by Him. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Charles Bailey further suggests, “When the Christian comes before God’s presence in prayer, he must figuratively cleanse himself by being in humble submission to the divine will.” When we ask God to remove anger and arguing from our hearts, we align with His will (Colossians 3:8) and prepare ourselves to encounter God in prayer (Jeremiah 33:3).
The Everyday Application
3) Why does Paul exhort lifting hands in prayer without anger or argument? (verse 8)
Once, when my husband and I were having a heated disagreement, he suggested we stop arguing and pray together. I folded my arms across my chest and huffed, “I know that is what we should do, but I don’t want to!” I was still angry and not ready to let go of my resentment. I didn’t want to do what Paul suggests and lift holy hands in prayer without anger or argument. (1 Timothy 2:8)
I found that I can’t lift my hands to the Lord when I am still clutching anger, hurt, bitterness or resentment because it erodes peace and connection with God. (Ephesians 4:26-27) I’m blocked in by my own sin, and I can’t lift my hands either to worship or receive from Him. If I am willing to let the anger go, and come with humility, He will faithfully meet me in true communion. (James 1:19-20, James 4:10)
The Lord wants to answer us and give us good gifts, which is why He instructs us to set aside our anger when coming in prayer. (Matthew 6:33)
Because He knows how hard it is for me to release my grip on angry feelings, He offers me grace, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Not only does He sympathize with my weakness and invite me to seek His mercy, but Jesus actually intercedes for me. (Romans 8:34) When I remember His great love and mercy, it is easier to let go of my anger and seek Him in prayer.
Can We Pray With You?
Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!
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