Daily Thought

Just as an individual convert, like Saul of Tarsus, feels a compelling desire to pray, so an assembly should feel a strong urge to engage together in prayer. Indeed, this should be the priority - it should be ‘first of all’. Different kinds of public prayers are suggested such as supplication (regarding assembly needs), prayers (drawing near to God in worship), intercessions (seeking divine intervention) and giving of thanks (for the blessings of salvation and for answered prayer). Assembly prayer meetings need not be dull! ‘Where a local church ceases to depend on prayer, God ceases to bless its ministry’, W. W. WIERSBE.

The apostle proceeds to say for whom we should pray (all men); why we should pray for them (that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and good order); what the results of such prayers are (good for the assembly and acceptable, i. e., pleasing, to God). Prayers such as these are based on the will of God for salvation and the work of Christ in His role as Mediator. He intervenes for God’s glory and the benefit of men in salvation and preservation. As to who should pray he says it is ‘men’, i. e., the males. It could not be put more clearly that public prayer is for men and not for women. And they should do so with clean hands and without wrath or doubting.

He now instructs the women as to their deportment and subjection. For public meetings of the church they should dress modestly and without ostentation. ‘In-your-face’ jewellery, large hats and inappropriate dress are not modest. They are to be silent as far as teaching and prayers are concerned and their modesty displayed by subjection to men and submission to other sisters in the practical things of assembly life. It is sad when an assembly is troubled by ‘attitude’ between sisters, Phil. 4. 2.

The background to this teaching goes back to Genesis where Eve took the lead, stepped over the boundary, and pulled Adam with her. He knew he was wrong while she thought she was right; she was ‘thoroughly deceived’, W. E. VINE. But believing women can be saved from such dangers by concentrating their efforts on the demanding circumstances of home life where they can please God and channel His blessings to the family.