2 Timothy 1:1-4 – Prayer for a Friend

We are going to be looking at 2 Timothy using commentary notes by Matthew Henry. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. As he did not receive the gospel of man, but the gospel of Christ revealed by Christ, so too his commission to be an apostle was not by the will of man, but of God. Paul reminds us of the promise of the life we have in Christ Jesus. This, as well as all other promises, is in and through Jesus Christ; these promises come from the mercy of God in Christ, and they are sure, so that we may safely depend upon them. The grace, mercy, and peace which Paul prays for Timothy comes from both God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the best thing we can pray for, for those we love – that they may have grace to help them in the time of need, mercy to pardon their sins, and therefore have peace with God.

Paul is thankful to God for Timothy’s faith and holiness, and he is thankful that he remembers Timothy in his prayers. Whatever good we do for ourselves or for our friends, we must give God the glory and the thanks. It is He who puts it into our hearts to remember certain people in our prayers. Paul was much in prayer, he prayed night and day, and in all his prayers he was mindful of his friends, especially those who were ministers of the Word.

It was a comfort to Paul that he was born in God’s house and was descended from those who served God with a clear conscience, as he strove to do the same. Timothy had been sorry to say goodbye to Paul, he wept at parting, and so Paul longs to see and talk with Timothy because of the love he has for him.

Questions
1. What is the best thing we can pray for?
2. Who makes us able to pray as we should?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for the salvation of friends and family members.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.