Back to back difficult passages.
Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and Thanksgivings… what is the definition of each? From a quick web search : Supplications are requests that we can get involved in, Prayers (the particular type of prayer used in the original text) are requests only God can fulfill, Intercessions are requests / petitions in behalf of another person, Thanksgivings are “thanks givings” ^_^
Be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions… pray for everyone, though leaders get a special mention. Maybe because while we are comfortable to pray for our peers, leaders are sometimes neglected. We maybe don’t want to pray for them because we might think they already have so much, that they seem to be able to handle things on their own, or simply because we don’t like them, or that they are heavy-handed on us. It’s tough to be a leader.
The purpose of this “First of all” command is so that we are able to, “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified.” Sounds like a great way to live.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV)
It is important to note that this is in the context of corporate worship. We can apply this right away.
(to be continued)