Priorities of Prayer

Published: 29 May 2026

Prayer is one of the most basic duties and privileges of the Christian life. Yet if we are honest, our prayers often reveal the condition of our hearts. We may pray most earnestly when we are in trouble, when we need guidance, when we are afraid, or when we want God to change our circumstances.

There is nothing wrong with bringing our needs to the Lord. Scripture invites us to do so. But the Word of God also teaches us that prayer must not be governed only by our personal burdens. Prayer has God-given priorities.

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul writes:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
— 1 Timothy 2:1–2, KJV

Paul says, “first of all.” This does not necessarily mean prayer is first only in sequence, but first in importance. Before the church becomes busy with activity, teaching, ministry, service, or public witness, she must first be a praying people.

From this passage, we can observe several priorities of prayer.

I. Prayer Must Include Thanksgiving

Paul speaks of “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.” Thanksgiving is not a decoration added to prayer. It is part of prayer itself.

“...giving of thanks...”
— 1 Timothy 2:1b, KJV

When we pray, we should always give thanks.

Thanksgiving reminds us who God is. It turns our attention away from self-pity, complaint, and anxiety, and brings our hearts back to the goodness and faithfulness of God. A thankful heart remembers that we are not speaking to a reluctant God, but to a gracious Father.

Paul also writes:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV

The command is not that we must feel thankful for every painful event itself, as though evil, suffering, or loss were good in themselves. Rather, in every circumstance, the believer can still give thanks because God remains sovereign, faithful, wise, and good.

Thanksgiving is an act of faith. It says, “Lord, I may not understand everything, but I remember Thy mercy. I remember Thy salvation. I remember Thy daily provision. I remember that Thou art still on the throne.”

A prayer life without thanksgiving can easily become a list of complaints. But a prayer life filled with thanksgiving becomes an altar of worship.

Before we ask God for more, we should thank Him for what He has already given. Before we speak of our burdens, we should remember His benefits. Before we look at what is lacking, we should look at the grace already received.

The believer should be known not only as one who asks, but as one who gives thanks.

II. Prayer Must Be Made for Those in Authority

Paul then gives a specific direction:

“For kings, and for all that are in authority...”
— 1 Timothy 2:2, KJV

This is not always easy. Many people are willing to complain about leaders, criticize leaders, debate about leaders, or be angry with leaders. But Scripture commands believers to pray for them.

Paul mentions “kings,” but he does not stop there. He says, “and for all that are in authority.” This includes rulers at different levels — national leaders, local leaders, civil authorities, and those placed in executive responsibility.

This principle is seen also in Ezra:

“That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.”
— Ezra 6:10, KJV

The people of God were to pray even for a foreign king. Their prayers were not limited only to spiritual leaders or leaders they personally preferred. They were to pray for those who held authority over them.

Why should believers pray for those in authority?

Because authority is not outside the rule of God.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
— Romans 13:1, KJV

This does not mean every ruler is righteous. It does not mean every decision is wise. It does not mean Christians must approve of everything done by those in office. But it does mean that authority itself is part of God’s ordering of human society.

Therefore, we pray.

We pray that leaders would rule with wisdom.
We pray that they would uphold justice.
We pray that they would restrain evil.
We pray that they would protect peace.
We pray that God would overrule even their weaknesses and failures for His own purposes.

The Christian response to authority should not be bitterness first, but prayer first. Before we criticize, we should pray. Before we complain, we should intercede. Before we become troubled by the state of the world, we should remember that God is able to guide, restrain, humble, and raise up rulers according to His will.

Praying for those in authority is not merely a political duty. It is a spiritual obedience.

III. The Purpose of This Prayer: A Peaceable and Godly Life

Paul gives the purpose:

“...that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
— 1 Timothy 2:2, KJV

This is a beautiful description of Christian living.

The goal is not luxury.
The goal is not ease.
The goal is not worldly power.
The goal is not that Christians may dominate society.

The goal is that believers may live “a quiet and peaceable life” — not in laziness or compromise, but “in all godliness and honesty.”

A quiet life is not an empty life. A peaceable life is not a passive life. It is a life ordered under God, free from unnecessary turmoil, so that the believer may serve the Lord faithfully.

Paul connects public peace with personal godliness. When there is stability in society, the church is able to worship, teach, evangelize, raise families, serve others, and live out the gospel with less hindrance.

But notice carefully: peace is not the final purpose. Godliness is.

We do not pray for peace merely so that we can be comfortable. We pray for peace so that we may live holy lives. We pray for order in society so that the gospel may have free course. We pray for rulers so that the church may continue in faithfulness.

The Christian life should be marked by both godliness and honesty.

Godliness speaks of reverence toward God — a life shaped by worship, obedience, and holy fear.

Honesty speaks of dignity, seriousness, and honourable conduct before men.

In other words, prayer should lead to a life that is right before God and respectable before others.

A praying Christian should not be careless, rebellious, bitter, or worldly. Prayer should produce a quiet strength, a peaceful spirit, and a godly manner of life.

IV. The Example of Christ in Prayer

Mark records this about the Lord Jesus:

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
— Mark 1:35, KJV

This verse shows us the priority of prayer in the life of our Lord.

Jesus prayed early.
He prayed before the busyness of the day.
He prayed in a solitary place.
He withdrew from the crowd in order to commune with the Father.

If the sinless Son of God gave Himself to prayer, how much more should we?

The Lord Jesus was never prayerless. He did not allow ministry demands, public attention, or human need to replace communion with the Father. Before He served men, He sought the Father. Before He faced the demands of the day, He prayed.

This challenges us deeply.

Many believers pray only when the day has exhausted them. Christ prayed before the day began. Many pray only when they are surrounded by noise and urgency. Christ departed into a solitary place. Many pray only when there is a crisis. Christ made prayer His habit.

Prayer was not secondary in the life of Christ. It was a priority.

If we are to follow Him, prayer must also become a priority in our lives.

Conclusion: Reordering Our Prayer Life

The priorities of prayer are not complicated, but they are deeply searching.

First, we are to pray with thanksgiving.
We must remember God’s goodness and give thanks in every circumstance.

Second, we are to pray for those in authority.
We must intercede for rulers and leaders, asking God to guide them and govern through them.

Third, we are to pray for a quiet and peaceable life.
Not for comfort alone, but so that we may live in godliness and honesty.

Finally, we must learn from Christ Himself.
He rose early, withdrew from the crowd, and prayed.

A healthy prayer life is not built only around personal requests. It is shaped by Scripture. It is filled with thanksgiving. It carries others before God. It remembers those in authority. It seeks peace for the sake of godliness. And it follows the example of the Lord Jesus.

May God teach us not only to pray more, but to pray rightly.

“Lord, reorder my prayers according to Thy Word. Teach me to give thanks, to intercede faithfully, to pray for those in authority, and to live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Amen.”