Prayer... The Greatest Work

1 Timothy 2

​What is it that you say when asked, “what is the most vital ministry of the local church?”

According to Paul, it is prayer. Prayer moves the hand that governs the world. Paul challenges young Timothy and the church at Ephesus in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for everyone and all things. He reiterates that we must pray for government leaders, that the doors of ministry will be kept open and souls will be won to Christ. Because God’s people often do not pray for people in authority, wars close mission fields, officials do not grant needed visas, and the work of the Lord suffers. Prayer changes things and makes possible the paths for the Gospel to resonate, not only in churches, but in the streets of free societies.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1–7 (ESV)

We are to pray for everyone, including those in authority, so that we might live in peace and many would her the Gospel. However, the main purpose of our prayers is that the gospel may go forth unhindered, that we might be able to freely engage, equip, and empower people with the Word of Truth, pointing to an eternal future with God the Father, by the saving grace of Jesus, for He is the only Mediator between God and humankind.

Dr. Tony Evans writes in the notes of His Study Bible that “God expects us to submit to his rule regardless of the political environments in which we live, but in a culture of religious freedom, believers are able to have a more public witness and can share their faith in ways that they could not under an oppressive regime. An orderly, free society is a positive environment for the proliferation of the gospel.”

He says, “When natural disasters strike, rescue units mobilize and enter the devastation so that they might help those who will surely perish without them. God has a mobilized rescue unit: it’s called the church. And the church’s job is to enter this sin-scarred world and rescue the dying with the King’s message of life. Notice that God’s desire is universal: he wants everyone to be saved. This is God’s emotional basis and motivation for unlimited atonement. The gospel is not restricted to any race, gender, ethnicity, class, or individual. So don’t let anything prevent you from going to the lost: you have the message with the power to rescue them.”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16–17 (ESV)

According to Warren Wiersbe, Paul reminds Timothy, the Ephesian Church, and Christian men that Christian women are important to the Lord and to the work of the church. The gospel brought freedom to women in the Roman Empire, but some of them did not know how to handle it and went to extremes asserting their liberty. Hence, the reminder about the spiritual leadership of the men in the church that is often criticized today.

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:8–15 (ESV)

Modesty, true spiritual beauty, godliness, and good works—these will characterize the woman God blesses.

“It is in willing submission, rather than grudging capitulation, that the woman in the church (whether married or single) and the wife in the home find their fulfillment.” Elisabeth Elliot
Though very much criticized and challenged in our current society, not so much around the world, Paul addresses the roles for men and women in the church—for followers of Jesus.

Dr. Tony Evans explains these passages as, “Men are to take the lead in calling heaven down to earth. Men are to be leaders in their homes and in their churches. And there’s no more important way to lead among the people of God than by praying for divine intervention. Jesus is looking for men who are willing to get in the game and get dirty on the field. Leading in prayer is frontline ministry. Lifting up holy hands refers to a common prayer stance (e.g., Exod 9:29; 1 Kgs 8:22; Ps 28:2) that is to be done in the context of purity and unity.

Paul explains that Godly character is to be reflected outwardly in godly apparel. Worldly standards are often unacceptable—and this is sometimes true when it comes to clothing choices. Do not dress in a way that draws inappropriate attention by either underdressing or overdressing. Walk in godliness, dress with godliness, and be worthy of respect. All focus should point to Jesus, never distracting from the worship of Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords or our humble approach to the Cross.

Dr Evans continues, “Paul allows women to speak in the church when it is under the proper covering of legitimate male authority (see 1 Cor 11:2–10). What he’s talking about here is the exercise of a role, an office. He’s talking about teaching and having authority. An overseer/elder/pastor (these terms are interchangeable in the New Testament) is expected both to teach and to govern and lead the church (see 1 Tim 3:2, 5; 5:17; Titus 1:9; cf. 1 Thess 5:12; Heb 13:17). Women are restricted from serving in this role of final authority in the church, where teaching and exercising authority are combined (senior pastor, elder, bishop). In other words, the limitation on women serving in a role of final authority in the church is based on a creation principle. There was an order to God’s creation of humanity. He created the man first not because the man was superior to the woman, but because he was to be the positional leader. This established a pattern for the home and the church.”

“The married couple was to function as an inseparable team, exercising dominion together over God’s creation, with the man exhibiting godly servant leadership. The man’s role as “head” (i.e., governing authority) over the woman (Eph 5:22–23) does not make him superior to her any more than God the Father’s role as “head” makes him superior in essence to God the Son (see 1 Cor 11:3). They are coequal members of the Trinity, though they have different functions. Likewise, the husband is to submit to Christ’s headship over him and the wife is to submit to her husband’s headship (Eph 5:24; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:1); nonetheless, they are unified in Christ (Gal 3:28) and “coheirs of the grace of life” (1 Pet 3:7). When this clearly defined covenantal order is breached, the door is opened for Satan to sow discord.”

“Though Eve was deceived, Scripture lays responsibility for humankind’s fall into sin at the feet of Adam (see Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 15:21). As the “head,” he should have defended both his wife and God’s garden against the lying intruder (see Eph 5:22–23). Similarly, God-called men are to serve as spiritual guardians and overseers in the church, leading God’s people, teaching the truth, and equipping the church to guard against Satanic intrusion.”

“Every time a believing woman has a baby and raises her child in faith, love, and holiness, she’s preparing another offspring to help put hell on the run. Only Jesus’s work on the cross ultimately defeats the devil. But, as his body, we the church are promised that the devil will also be crushed under our feet (see Rom 16:20). Women are to influence their children to be agents of God’s kingdom, battling the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit. Such a faithful kingdom woman will be saved—that is, delivered—and experience spiritual victory. Single women and those unable to bear children can share in this victory by teaching and discipling the next generation of kingdom warriors.”

“A good woman is the best thing on earth. Women were last at the cross and first at the open tomb. The church owes a debt to her faithful women which she can never estimate, to say nothing of the debt we owe in our homes to godly wives and mothers.” Vance Havner

Though often refuted and many times neglected in our society this is the Word of God. It is truth and it is profitable. Paul’s teachings on the role of women in the church should be seen in light of his recognition of and respect for the spiritual gifts of women in his day and his proclamation of the equality of men and women in Christ. We all have a role to play with no one role being superior and all demanding a high calling.

Today, may we focus on Jesus, our prayer life, unity, diversity, and the great work for which He has called all believers—reach this lost and dying world with the life changing transforming power of the Gospel Message so that all may receive His grace-filled salvation.

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