Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
One Body and One Baptism
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Pradeep John
Connecticut Mar Thoma Congregation
1.First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.

 
Apostle Paul in his Pastoral Epistles instructs his younger co-workers on living out their faith and teaching others to live a life in faith. The first book of Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles which Apostle Paul wrote to his gospel co-worker Timothy. Apostle Paul directs Timothy to oppose false teaching, to hold up the standard of right doctrine and to show that right doctrine must result in proper living.
In the above key verse Paul emphasizes public worship and prayer. Apostle Paul gives a priority list and he exhorts that first of all we pray and give thanks before we do anything else. Keeping prayer first will focus the hearts and eyes of people on God from the beginning. Public worship is different from other gatherings because it recognizes the divine presence of God and all human problems are given lower priority. In the passage Paul list 3 forms of prayer and one form of praise.

 
1. Petitions or Supplications are request of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is to bear one another’s burdens as one body in Christ.

2. Prayers are about requests which God alone can meet. We should come together and offer prayers for our needs and others which only God can fulfill.

3.  Intercessions are corporate prayers in church which we make to the King of Kings for other people.

4. Thanksgiving which is to be done in all circumstances.(1 Thessalonians 5:18). Praise and Thanksgiving is what we do as a congregation when we participate in Holy Qurbana and sing Hymns. This expresses the greatness of our Almighty God.

 
Apostle Paul asks us to give supplications and prayers for all people without distinction, for leaders and for all in authority whose decisions affect our daily lives. Paul says that when we are in right relationship with God and pray for our leaders, He can maintain peace for us. As we pray for others, God will open ways for them to come closer to God and be saved. God desires all mankind to be saved and none should perish. Jesus is our one mediator who is both man and God and has given His life as ransom for the whole humankind that we may be saved. These requests may be beyond our understanding but Paul urges us to continue in prayer. All our prayers, offered sincerely in the name of Jesus, will come before God the Father as Jesus is the only way to the Father (St John 14:6).

PRAYER

Gracious God, grant us Your spirit that we may pray sincerely for all mankind according to Your will. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more