New Testament | 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
Sweet Hour of Prayer by William Batchelder Bradbury and William W. Walford, arranged by Casting Crowns

Lyrics:
Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By thy return sweet hour of prayer

Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
The joys I feel the bliss I share
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face
And gladly take my station there
And wait for thee sweet hour of prayer

Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless
And since He bids me seek His face
Believe His Word and trust His grace
I'll cast on Him my ev'ry care
And wait for thee sweet hour of prayer

Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
May I thy consolation share
Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height
I view my home and take my flight
This robe of flesh I'll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize
And shout while passing through the air
Farewell farewell sweet hour of prayer

Passage:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Musical Reflection:
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” tune by Robert Jackson

Reflection Notes:
TRENTHAM is a tune by Robert Jackson, an English composer during the nineteenth century. It fits perfectly with the text for “Breath On Me, Breath of God,” by Edwin Hatch; each phrase is allotted ample space for reflection.

Prayer:
O Lord, you have taught us that without love, all our deeds are worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you; grant this for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.