Daily Bread – August 29, 2022 (The Second Day – Genesis 1:6-8) 1 Timothy 2:1 – I urge you, then, that first of all petitions, prayer, intercessions, thanksgiving be made for all men. Paul’s reason for this call to prayer is for the salvation of souls. He notes in verse four how God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, this verse is a kind of call to arms. Paul focuses the Church on their need to hit their knees and engage in every kind of prayer. In this instance, Paul identifies every kind of prayer, including petitions, intercession, and the giving of thanks. One of the less obvious types of prayer Paul mentions here is the thanksgiving prayer. He also mentions this kind of prayer in Colossians 4:2, where he says “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it by thanksgiving.“ One of the many dimensions to the prayer of thanks is the consideration that the prayer is heard by God and He is at work to accomplish what we have requested (Hebrews 11:1,6; Romans 4:20-21). We are thanking Him for having done what we ask, instead of remaining in a state of wonder or uncertainty (Matthew 21:22). To have certainty in our prayers involves an expression of faith which says, “Thank You, Lord, for meeting my needs.” “Thank You, Lord, for changing the heart of the president, or the prime minister, or the king.” “Thank You, Lord, for the salvation of my loved ones.” “Thank You, Lord, for using me in the workplace.” “Thank you, Lord, that You have filled me with authority by Your Spirit to represent Your Kingdom and stand in the place of Jesus!” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The prayer of thanksgiving is the prayer of faith that believes what has been asked has also been received. The prayer of thanksgiving can be heard in the expression of Jesus when He looked up to Heaven and said, “I thank You, Father, for having heard Me.” In the prayer of thanksgiving, which certainly should be a part of all prayer, one does not hear wailing and sorrow, but the sound of joy (Philippians 1:4, 4:6). This is not to say there is no place for strong and intense prayer; for we can see that kind of prayer in the life of Jesus as well when He was engaged in intercession (Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:44). Through prayer, we become alert and watchful to both think and do according as we have been commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been given authority to be in charge of things, rather than to be overwhelmed with fear and circumstance. We are the people of faith, the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Jude 20-23; Matthew 5:13-16). However, to take our position alongside of Christ Jesus, we are going to have to find a place of communion and relationship with the Holy Spirit that is only discovered in the place of prayer (Ephesians 2:6, 6:18; Romans 8:17; Galatians 2:20; and John 1:12, 14:12-14, 15:5,16, 17:21-23). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 8/29/2022
