I- PRAY INSTANTLY

Paul said in verse 8, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere…”

Notice what Paul said in Romans 12:12 “continuing instant in prayer;” In other words, our prayers occurring within a short space of time, speedily, rapidity. It does not mean we are praying in a hurry but no time lapses between the time you desire to pray and the moment you begin praying.

When Jesus shared a parable with the disciples He emphasized “we ought always to pray” in Luke 18:1; Then Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, instructed the believers to “pray without ceasing”. Even in the Old Testament, Daniel prayed “three times a day” in Daniel 6:10-13 as a conclusion of his instant praying.

You need to be instant in your prayers because moment by moment, every minute, every second there are sudden unexpected, unbeatable, unavoidable circumstances occur in your path of life, and even in the lives of your dearest friends and love ones. 

II- PRAY WITH HOLINESS

Again Paul adds in verse 8, “… lifting up holy hands.”

We are to be holy when we pray—1 Peter 1:15-16. Have the mind of Christ.—Philippians 2:5. Let Christ lives in you.—Galatians 2:20. You must confess and deal with your sin as God is faithful and to forgive and cleanse you—1 John 1:9. James said “purify your heart—James 4:8. Be like Jesus who said, “I do always those things that please him.”—John 8:29

Sin will always interfere with your receiving answers prayer:

Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

                As the Lord speaks to your heart that you get out from a particular sin, trust God by His grace to strengthen and enable you to surrender and get that sin out of your life.

                Be Holy in your prayer life.

 III- PRAY WITH KINDNESS AND FORGIVENESS   

Paul continues when he said in verse 8, “… without wrath.” 

Forgiveness is important when we pray. As forgiven by the blood of Christ, God expected and wants us to forgive others also.

Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: ³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

                We are not to use prayer for wrath. It is not hard to forgive but it is hard not to forgive for Christ’s sake, God hath forgiven you. We are to intercede for sake of others and not to plead against others. Everything God knows about you and He knows when you are holding a grudge against other. When we pray we are to forgive.  We are not to use prayer for wrath. Don’t try to fool God with your outside piety. Be careful not to give Satan advantage against you through unforgiving spirit—2 Corinthians 2:10-11.

IV- PRAY WITH CERTAINTY

Paul rendered that last word in verse 8, “… and (without) doubting.” 

We need to have faith in God when we pray. We are to be sure of the things for which we are praying and to whom we are praying.

Mark 11:22-24 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ²³ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ²⁴ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

James 1:6-8 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Don’t try to play with this verse, you may not need to literally move a mountain. But you need to trust God who can move the mountain and answer your prayers. For with God nothing shall be impossible—Luke 1:37 for there is nothing too hard for the Lord—Genesis 18:14. For without faith it is impossible to please God—Hebrews 11:6. For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.—Romans 14:23. Jesus said in Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Whatsoever you ask God to do it, then trust him to do it.

Conclusion: We can see in our text in 1 Timothy 2:8 some area of your prayer life that needs attention. Do you pray instantly? Do you know who God really is and how to approach Him? Have you not dealt with a sin that the Lord convicts you stay out of it? Are you holding grudge toward someone instead of forgiving them? Are you lacking in faith and unstable in your prayer? Focus on that area that hinders your prayers for God said, “…the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”—James 5:16