Equipping the Apostolic Minister III

Prayers have always played crucial roles in various societies especially in shaping leaders. From KJV, 1 Timothy 2: 1-2, prayers have been given a specific priority to anything a person does. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone". The apostle uses the phrase "first of all" to give a testimony to Timothy and the church in Ephesus instruction on worship. This phrase insists on the importance of prayer in public worship especially in the church. It meant that a prayer should never be a mere afterthought but be a priority. The Apostolic ministry uses this to confirm on the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship. This is confirmed in Acts 4:31 KJV, After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. According to the apostles, the office of Deacon was established to increase the attention on prayer and the world ministry.

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The verse also talks about varieties of prayers. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone" (1 Tim 2:1, KJV). Apostles are urged to request for prayers for specific need. Prayers are sacred as people pray to God. It is equally meant to worship, and not a mere expression of what a person needs or wants. "Intercession" suggests that Christians should enjoy fellowship and conversation with God as a Friend. As a "Thanksgiving", prayer should always be part worship for answered prayer and who God is and what He, out of grace. The objective of prayers is to pray for everyone meaning that every apostle is not outside the influence of believing in prayer. Secondly, apostles are urged to specifically pray "for kings and all those in authority". The emperor in authority was to behead Paul but he still believed in prayers as a respect the office.

Act 6: 4 And will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the world. This verse concerns the power of prayer and its use in the world ministry. The Apostolic ministry by Paul was about saving the whole world. Some of his letters were meant to bring different people to the word of God. In addition, the verse focuses on the choosing of specific people to represent the others so that they can be given more attention by God. However, they have to be full of spirit and wisdom. This represents the ministry of apostles which is headed by deacons and who are selected to lead others. And will give our attention is an expression to denotes intense and persevering application to the prayer. The apostles had highest dedication and constant objective to distracted cares of life, and even by attention to the temporal needs of the church. On the other hand, To prayer meant that apostles needed to give themselves to the ministry services. The phrase And the ministry of the word focuses on preaching the gospel, or communicating the message of eternal life to the world. To apostles, their lives were to be devoted, and both by their example and their writings.

References

Gill, John. (1999). Commentary on Acts 6:4 The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible. //www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/acts-6.html.