The epistle for Trinity 14 is a second passage from 1 Tim, this time the first seven verses of chapter 2. Paul’s urging Timothy that all kinds of prayer should be offering follows strongly from the previous passage explaining the nature of the gospel as shown by his own experience.
His call to pray for those in positions of power has a radical edge to is—not least because the goal of the prayer is not about solving social issues, but enabling the good news that Jesus is Lord to be preached to all.
My article ‘What did Jesus do with bread?’ can be found here.
We touch on the following, controversial passage, and particularly the value of the commentary by Aida Besancon Spencer, which you can find here.
The gospel reading for this Trinity 14 is Luke 16.1–13, the parable of the unjust steward, and you can find the written commentary for it here.
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Thankyou James and Ian
Two things occur to me
1st.} The sharp focus of the Lectionary compiler[s]
FIRST In Ch.1 Paul speaks of His own ministry example
2nd.} I think of these letters much like Paul’s mentoring [not molding] of a young new minister or overseer.
One could almost liken it to the question much asked of “successful” celebrities “What would you say to YOUR younger self? [always a good self- reflection tool]
Here Paul says, before delving into “issues”
Start first [double imperative] Be a man of prayer, give admonitions first of all to recognise what Jesus wants our church to Be.
Occasionally we are encouraged in our corporate prayers to engage in an aspect of prayer, e.g., “What one line prayer will you pray to thank God for or adorations or local and national or world issues troubling you. This is much more engaging than the rituals of said or an individual’s thoughts [those are useful for the new in faith to understand the “mechanics” of prayers [Teach us to pray]
Bearing with our frailties this is a good tool for overseers to gauge the understanding of their people and thus in their ministry to teach a more excellent way.
My house shall be called a House of Prayer for all Nations!
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people
[see earlier verses as to who “they” are.]
For all kings not just our King “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life”; as much as to say, Their safety is a security to us; as also in his Epistle to the Romans, he exhorts them to obey their rulers, “not for wrath but for conscience’ sake.” (Romans 13:5.) For God has appointed government for the public good. They set various boundaries according to their policies.
Do we pray for Donald Trump or Putin or Netanyahu or Starmer “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life”?
C H Spurgeon was asked the secret of His prodigious ministry
He replied “The Boiler room” to which he took his enquirer
Into the basement and a room packed with praying people.
Do our churches have a “boiler room”?
As issues arise do we trust Christ to mediate for us or do we set up our “camp”[s]?
Our prayers should be greater and grander than our Cathedrals or Artemisa’s Temple, if not, we may probably suffer the same fate.
Note on mediation
God is always ready to identify who is His man with His authority
Think the rod of Moses consuming the rods of the pagan priests of Egypt.
Or Aaron’s rod apparently dead but blossoming in Resurection Life.
Seek His face is the nature and goal of prayer Ps 14:2; Ps 40:16