Public Prayer

“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8)

While it is the privilege of all of God’s children to pray to Him and we have the example of the prayers of both men and women recorded in Scripture, yet, because Paul is here speaking of public prayer in the assembly, it is addressed particularly to men everywhere and the Spirit through whom they are to pray.

“Men everywhere”: shows that it is not limited to men of certain titles. Some organizations limit public prayer to pastors, elders or deacons who may be officially recognized and ordained to those offices. Because of a certain authority imposed upon them by some institution or organization, they are set above the people in a ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’ distinction. However, we do not find any such distinctions in Scripture concerning authority being conferred based on title, education nor position as conferred by men.

Having made that statement: there are two qualifications imposed by God the Spirit on any man who would lead the congregation in worship.

“Lifting up holy hands”: These are men who evidence their justification (declared righteousness) before God through faith in His Son and His finished work at Calvary. The thief on the cross addressed such a prayer to God in crying, “Remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom...” (Luke 23:42) He had nothing in himself as holiness to recommend him to God but Christ’s acknowledgment of him as accepted by His imputed righteousness was sufficient for Him. The publican addressed such a prayer, lifting holy hands in crying, “Be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) He looked to the Mercy Seat, a type of Christ’s propitiation as his only righteousness before God, 1 John 2:2.

“Without wrath and doubting”:Prayer is to be offered to God in an attitude of quietness, peace and faith by those who know themselves redeemed and justified by the blood of Christ and called out by His Spirit. They know to Whom their prayers are addressed (the ALL-Sovereign God) and believe that He hears and answers according to His will. Trouble, turmoil and conflict in a congregation may at times cause someone to lash out in prayer, scold or even doubt God’s presence. Nonetheless, may we ever pray to God in the same Spirit as the church gathered in the first century, trusting God’s sovereign will and purpose as found in Acts 4:23-31, without an angry and unforgiving temper towards others or circumstances.