Today's Passage - 1 Timothy 2:1

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english 1 Timothy 2:1     "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people..."                  What is most important to people serving God? Is it visitation and caring? Is it quiet meditation? Or is it a busy ministry? Paul urged Timothy first to petition for all people. The bible rarely mentions "first of all", this is the few verses that stress the "first of all" thing to do, so it must be very important. Paul did not say to petition on his behalf, rather it is to petition for all people. Many people have such a feeble prayer life because they only pray for themselves, just as what the Lord said about the tax collector's prayer, saying only to himself: "I'm this; I'm that".                  A self-centered prayer is only a monologue; this type of prayer does not bring out power. We must have a generous heart and first of all pray for God's kingdom and all people, and then the blessing of the Lord will come. There is no satisfaction if you care only about yourself; however, God will remember your personal needs if you have the heart for the kingdom. This is what the Lord said in Matthew 6:33 "And seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Paul mentioned several aspects of prayer:                  First: Prayer. This type is to pray, bringing people's needs before God. Not just praying for the people's physical needs and their situations, it's also praying for the saving the human souls. We need to bring before the Lord the needs of the body, mind and soul.    Second: Intercession. This type is warfare prayer. The meaning of intercession is to go between, standing in the middle of the gaps, wherever they are, to pray for people of all nations. Ask God to bind all work of the enemies, let the Spirit of God move freely.     Third: Thanksgiving. This is thanksgiving prayer. Prayer walk in one such type, bless your family, community, and even bless the people who persecute you. The bible says, "Bless and do not curse." The targets of blessing include people of all nations; ask God to bring all nations to the Lord soon, just as the bible says, "This temple will become the temple of prayers for people of all nations." Ask God to help us learn to pray for all people in our daily lives.                  Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we ask you to remind us again, not just praying for our own needs, but also praying for people of all nations. Beginning from ourselves, to the families, communities, churches and this world; ask the spirit of the Lord to teach us. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!