MDB 72: I Tim 2

What is the first priority of ministry? Many of us would say that it is the preaching of the World; we love to style ourselves "ministers of the Word." It is striking that when Paul moves to direct Timothy about life in God's household and ministry in a challenging place, he says, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people" (2:1). Prayer is the first priority of ministry.

Of course, prayer cannot be divorced from the ministry of the Word. And yet, how many times do we as ministers of the Gospel divorce the ministry of the Word from prayer? Paul says, first of all, pray! Pray individually, but especially pray corporately and challenge your people to pray for the ministry of the Word. 

This is no new note for Paul. To the Corinthians, Paul charges, "You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:11). And to the Colossians, he writes, "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" (Colossians 4:3-4).

I fear that we run too quickly to the latter part of the chapter--and the controversial matters of women and the public, authoritative preaching of Scripture--and we miss the true note of this chapter. The first priority in our ministries is for God's people to pray: "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling" (2:8).