Applying For Benefits

# 47 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (1 Tim 2:1) Much of Paul's letters to Timothy have to do with the “how to's” of doing church. He's already spoken to the matter of keeping the apostolic doctrine pure and how to handle those who would teach falsely. Now he reminds Timothy of the importance and centrality of prayer to the worship gatherings. He mentions four aspects of prayer that are to be employed on behalf of all people. First of all he mentions supplications. One of those words we don't use a lot in our daily conversations. What are supplications? Simply put a supplication is a petition, it is a request. In the matter of Christian prayer, it is a subject (you and I) asking his King to grant a request. Usually asking for a specific benefit or for a perceived need to be met. Did you know there are benefits available to God's subjects? One of those benefits is that we are able to approach our heavenly Father in prayer. Heb 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Wow! Mercy? Grace (which is defined as “divine influence on the heart,” ) whenever we need it? It doesn't get much better than inviting God's influence into a situation! But there's more to remember as we bring our supplications to the King! Jesus said in Lu 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” And in Ro 8:32, we read, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” So supplicate church! Petition! Ask! Get familiar with the benefits of being a child of the King as found in the promises of God's Word and apply for them through prayer! Apply for those benefits on your knees individually, and, (as Paul is urging Timothy,” apply for them corporately, as as a church! Ask! Seek! Knock! For you have a Good Good Father, who will always give you what is good for you and good for His church.