First Timothy 2:1-4 Appropriate Worship

First Timothy 2:1-4 from the New International Version of the Bible:

I urge you then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Commentary

So, in chapter two, Paul begins a discussion about the public worship of the church - what's important, what's required and what's appropriate.

The first issue he explores is corporate prayer in public worship. That he mentions this first is indicative of its importance to Paul. It seems to be clear that Paul believed corporate prayer should be central to the worship service. And though he doesn't provide Timothy with a specific format for this, he's quite specific about what should be included. He mentions requests, intercession and thanksgiving should be made for and by everyone. You would think this pretty much covered everything wouldn't you? But Paul adds that prayers should be offered for all those in authority, including kings. He asks them to do this because it's his desire that God's church should be allowed to live and worship in peace as much as possible, unfettered by interference from government. Prayer to the Lord for the welfare of these authority figures could go a long way towards that goal.

"All those in authority" might also include the leadership of the church. Prayers for elders, pastors, evangelists and deacons that request God's hand on their lives can only help with church unity and growth.

Next Paul answers the unasked question, Why is prayer so important in the worship of the church? It's important because it pleases God. He loves it when His people pray; when we talk to Him. It's his way into our lives. It's our discussions with Him that slowly help to bend our wills to His. We get to know Him better and He becomes more than our Lord. He becomes our closest friend. And since He already knows us better than we know ourselves, there is no reason to hide anything from Him.

God would like to have this relationship with everyone. He would like all the world to be saved; to be part of His church and come to a full knowledge of the truth.

Questions

1. So what do you think? Is there enough prayer during our worship services?
2. What do you think Paul envisioned in regard to corporate prayer? Should it be one person delivering the prayers of everyone? Everyone praying silently simultaneously? Or maybe one prayer after another that is audible by each member (that could take awhile)?
3. Do you feel comfortable praying out loud before a group of Christians?
4. Are there any aspects of prayer that should not be a part of corporate prayer?
5. Why pray at all? God knows what we need. He knows what's on our minds. He knows what needs fixed. So why pray at all?
6. Paul says here that God wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Can our prayers increase the chances of non-Christians converting?
7. Paul also encouraged Timothy to have the Ephesians pray for government leaders. Why? Do we practice this enough? Is it all right to pray for the removal of certain leaders? Or even for their chastisement?