Accept No Substitutes
1 Timothy 2:1-10
Aaron Gray
Part of 1 Timothy—Christ-Infused Godliness
March 16, 2025

The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. —James 5:16b

There are wonderful examples in the Scripture of the power of prayer. Nothing seems to be too great, too hard, or too difficult for prayer to do. It has obtained things that seemed impossible and out of reach. It has won victories over fire, air, earth, and water. Prayer opened up the Red Sea. Prayer brought water from the rock and bread from heaven. Prayer made the sun stand still. Prayer brought fire from the sky on Elijah’s sacrifice…Prayer has healed the sick. Prayer
has raised the dead. Prayer has procured the conversion of souls. “The child of many prayers,” said an old Christian to Augustine’s mother, “shall never perish.” —J.C. Ryle

A Call to Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made…

Prayer is actually the most effective thing we can do…accept no substitutes!

Substitute #1: Complaining

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Substitute #2: Judgment

1 Timothy 2:3-4

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth

James 2:12-13

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Substitute #3: Self-Sufficient Religion

1 Timothy 2:5-7

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

There is an Advocate and Intercessor always waiting to present the prayers of those who come to God through Him. That advocate is Jesus Christ. He mingles our prayers with the incense of His own almighty intercession. So mingled, they go up as a sweet savor before the throne of God. Poor as they are in themselves, they are mighty and powerful in the hand of our High Priest and Elder Brother. The bank-note without a signature at the bottom is nothing but a worthless piece of paper. The stroke of a pen confers on it all its value. The prayer of a poor child of Adam is a feeble thing in itself, but once endorsed by the hand of the Lord Jesus it avails much. —J.C. Ryle

Substitute #4: Anger (Men)

1 Timothy 2:8

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling…

Substitute #5: Posturing (Women)

1 timothy 2:9-10

…likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Application

  1. Ask: which substitute am I most susceptible to?
  2. Pray in accordance with what you know to be God’s will
  3. Be really quick to pray, both alone and with others