“Praying One For Another”
2 Timothy 1:2-7
As we once again step into the life of prayer; we see Paul lifting up a fellow servant in the Lord with prayer.
Is it important to pray for each other?
I believe the answer is without a doubt YES!
As we look at this prayer in our text today, I am reminded that this was the last letter that Paul was to write.
Many commentaries note the special relationship that Paul and Timothy had.
Timothy was probably a teenager or very early in his 20’s.
Led to Jesus in the town of Lystra (modern day Turkey).
Paul chose Timothy to be a disciple, friend and co-laborer with Paul and would do so for the remaining time that Paul was alive.
This letter was to Timothy so obviously he was not with Paul in Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome under the persecution of Christians by Nero.
I believe Paul knew that this time there would be only one way out of prison and that would be to meet Jesus face to face.
Many believe that Timothy was weakened by the news of Paul in prison but I do not.
I have come to understand that Paul was concerned about Timothy and the news he would hear that Paul was dead.
That news can shake anybody, but especially when you are really close to someone and it is not from natural causes.
So I choose to look at the introduction of this letter and study the prayer that Paul had concerning Timothy.
Vs. 2 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Timothy was not Paul’s biological son, but Paul called him his “son in the Lord.”
Many today are fearful of relationships with others.
There can be valid reasons but my experience is that so many live a duel life and they do not want it to be discovered.
I make no accusations just observations.
It is so easy to be a Christian in the assembly of other Christians, but it is tough to be a Child Of God in a world that is contrary to God; so many will live a duel life.
Grace - charis (khar’-ece) “the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues”
Root of Grace – to rejoice, be glad, be well
Mercy - eleos (el’-eh-os) – compassion of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ, of men towards men: with a desire to help them
Grace is often expressed - receiving what we do not deserve
Mercy is understood - Not getting what we deserve.
Peace - eirene (i-ray’-nay) - security, safety, prosperity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
The way that leads to peace (salvation)
Vs. 3 “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;”
The phrase “from my forefathers,” probably means, after the example of my ancestors. He worshipped the same God; he held substantially the same truths; he had the same hope of the resurrection and of immortality; he trusted to the same Saviour
Pure conscience - I have conducted myself so as to maintain a good conscience. I have done what I believed to be right.
In my prayers night and day - It would seem impossible to make such a statement, yet he did. Paul, while in the darkness of prison, had nothing but time; so he said while he was there that there was one thing constantly on his mind that led to prayer, Timothy.
I do not know your work or sleep habits but I can tell you that there are times in my life that the Lord buts a burden on my heart for someone and for the next hours they are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Paul’s Prayer:
Vs. 4 “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;”
Desiring to see thee - There was a time that Paul spoke to Timothy and desired him to stay at Ephesus because there was unfinished work to be done.
Now, in need, Paul request that Timothy be with him.
Being mindful of thy tears – There ought to be, in the heart of God’s children, a sympathizing Sprit.
We should weep when other weep
We should rejoice when others rejoice.
We do not live on emotions but we dare not shut up emotions that God has given.
That I may be filled with joy – Paul seems to be longing to see Timothy once more.
Friendship brings encouragement.
Friendship passes on encouragement.
In Christ we have the ability and responsibility to help others.
This is not done in fake fashion but with a genuine heart that the Lord has given.
Remember when Lazarus had died and he met up with Mary?
When he knew what he was going to do, yet he wept!
Vs. 5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
Paul being acquainted with Timothy’s family as we see in this mention of then; Paul reminds Timothy that his faith really started in his house as a child.
I was wondering; what kind of house are our children being raised in these days?
We say we have no influence because of the world; perhaps we are allowing the world into the protected area of our home?
Paul reflects his observation of Timothy’s life while with Paul. “…and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
Vs. 6 “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
Wherefore – Because of (because of your walk)
Stir up - to kindle up, inflame one’s mind, strength,
Base meaning – in the midst (even in the middle of this sorrow)
DON’T QUIT!!!!
The gift of God - charisma (khar’-is-mah) - a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own, the gift of divine grace, the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue
Vs. 7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
The spirit of fear - timid, fearful
If God did not give it and we have a spirit of fear; where is it coming from?
Easy answer but difficult to live in victory.
But of power - dunamis (doo’-nam-is) - strength power, ability, to be able to do something
And of love - agape (ag-ah’-pay) - Of the love of men towards God, Of the love of God towards man
And of a sound mind - self-control, restore one to his senses
Conclusion:
I might ask a simple question; has your prayer life toward others be effective?
We Walk
We Talk
But our Walk ought to talk more than our talk talks.
To all who read this: Prayer is so important that we should not just memorize prayers but become a student of those who do pray. Dr. Rick Tuttle
