"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men," (2:1)
The beginning of the second chapter in Paul's first letter to Timothy is also the beginning of his official pastoral advice. If we could give advice to a younger brother in the faith, I wonder where we would start? Paul starts with prayer. But Paul does not instruct Timothy to pray for himself, he instructs Timothy to pray for others - not just for believers either, but for ALL men.
Paul urges Timothy to do four things;
1) To make supplications for all men - Making a supplication means to ask God to do something in particular in one's life. Paul tells Timothy to make supplications for other people, thus perhaps asking God to bless other people. What, loving, pastoral advice to ask God to help other people.
2) To make prayers for all men - To pray for all men. Even though Timothy has no idea what other people's problems and issues are he is still instructed to pray for them.
3) To make intercessions for all men - Here is a tricky one. Paul is telling Timothy to intercede for other people on their behalf. God knows that most people (including ministers) do not pray enough. Therefore, it is Timothy's duty, as a minster of the gospel, to see to it that other people are prayed for.
4) To give thanks for all men - When was the last time you thanked God for putting someone who is good to you in your life? Now, when was the last time you (and I) thanked God for putting someone who is evil to you in our life? I have found that when people have criticized me or have been a general thorn in the flesh, it has drawn me closer to God and it has been a wonderful time of spiritual growth. God says to thank Him for putting these people in your life because God wants you to have His strength be made perfect in your weakness.
Let's take Paul's God-breathed advice and pray for all men.
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