"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 14 September 2016 Scripture 1 Timothy 2:1-8

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 14 September 2016 Scripture 1 Timothy 2:1-8
-------

1 Timothy 2:1First of all, then, I counsel that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all human beings, 2 including kings and all in positions of prominence; so that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives, being godly and upright in everything. 3 This is what God, our Deliverer, regards as good; this is what meets his approval.
4 He wants all humanity to be delivered and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5 For God is one;[1 Timothy 2:5 Deuteronomy 6:4] and there is but one Mediator between God and humanity, Yeshua the Messiah, himself human, 6 who gave himself as a ransom on behalf of all, thus providing testimony to God’s purpose at just the right time. 7 This is why I myself was appointed a proclaimer, even an emissary — I am telling the truth, not lying! — a trustworthy and truthful teacher of the Goyim.
8 Therefore, it is my wish that when the men pray, no matter where, they should lift up hands that are holy — they should not become angry or get into arguments.[Complete Jewish Bible]
-------
Judy Blume's book Are you there God? It's me, Margaret shaped my understanding of prayer as young person. In the book sixth grader Margaret has a lot of questions about God and different faiths and isn't always sure she believes in God at all, but she prays anyway. And she prays about EVERYTHING--moving, her parents, boys, her questions, friends, getting a bra, getting her period, etc. What I took away from this is that you don't need fancy words and there is nothing off limits when it comes to prayer--even when you aren't always sure what you believe.
In our reading from First Timothy today, Paul offers similar wisdom: "First of all you've got to pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know." That's the only way this is going to work. None of us knows exactly how to pray and there is no one right way. Prayer is something we keep learning our whole life long. We learn best by doing and we do well when we do it together.
Lord Jesus, as your first disciples once said, so we still say today "Lord, teach us to pray." Amen.
Sandy Van Zyl, '88
ELCA Pastor serving United Congregational Church, Butte, Mont. 
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human,
6 who gave himself a ransom for all --this was attested at the right time.
7 For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument;[New Revised Standard Version]
-------