First of All

It's been my privilege to mentor dozens of young, aspiring pastors. One thing that I want to make sure that they know is the importance of prayer for their ministry.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy - a young, aspiring pastor - stresses the importance of prayer for his ministry as well, making three specific appeals for prayer…

• First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made. This is a general appeal for prayer on the part of the pastor and the church. As the pastor leads the church, he or she should be a leader in prayer: first of all. Prayer is to be a primary activity of the church. Jesus himself said, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all the nations” (Mark 11.17). In his zeal for God’s house, Jesus did not say it was a house of preaching or singing or giving or praising. He said it was a house of praying. Yes, we preach, we sing, we give, we praise. But first of all, we pray.
• Then, that in every place men should pray. Having established the importance of prayer for the pastor and for the church, Paul then goes on to focus on men praying. He does so with an admonition (lifting holy hands - showing our enthusiasm) and a warning (without anger or disputing).
• Likewise also women. Just as men must guard the sincerity and purity of their prayers, likewise, women are to safeguard their prayers. Coming to church is not about outward style and fashion. We can pray at our best when we come prepared with the right spirit within.

Are you praying first of all?