PRAYING MEN

Text : 1Timothy 2:8.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

God gave explicit instructions to all of His children as to how we must live our lives.

Some of these instructions cut across boards, of which all of God's children must obey. However, there are some instructions that are specific to gender or portfolios. We we'll be looking at some of these instructions today.

 *THE MEN*

From our text, there are two distinct responsibilities God wants men to undertake, and the two are intertwined.

First, God wants men to pray.

The word  'men' as used in our text is not generic as to mean all human beings. It is specifically requesting that all men should pray. Yes, God expects every of His children to pray, but He specifically called men out here. 

A number of times,  when prayer meetings are called, the proportion of women in attendance always outnumbered men. This is because the devil knows the import of praying men. 

 *The man is the Head of the family,  if the head is fainting, the whole family is fainting as well.* 

Luke 18:1 says, men ought always to pray and not to faint. That is, if you are not praying, you are fainting. No middle ground.

 *If you don't feel like praying, the way out is to pray, and If you don't know how to pray, the best way to learn is to pray.* 

Romans 8:26 says _Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered._ The Holy Spirit can only help your infirmities in the place of prayer.

Secondly, out text says men should be without wrath (anger) and doubting (being argumentative). Anger is not befitting for anyone but men should take extra care not to give themselves over to anger.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 says *Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.* Anger doesn't just make you look like a fool,  it takes away God's blessings from your life.

One thing that can easily take the presence of God away from a man is wrath. For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.(James 1:20).

 *PRAYER FOCUS* 

1.) Father,  Please,  help me to tarry in your presence and to give myself wholly to prayers.

Bible Reading:

1 Timothy 2:8-15.