A Life of Purpose - 2 Timothy 4:6-22

Father, may we say

I have fought the good fight

I have finished the race

I have kept the faith.

And when we say that, may it be true and not an expression of self-delusion.

Thank-you that you will stand with us.

You will strengthen us,

You will rescue us,

And bring us safely to your heavenly kingdom.

Amen

The Job Description - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Father you are watching,

And we are tempted to shrink back.

Your son is the judge of heaven and earth, the coming king,

Your spoken Word.

May I remember his appearing,

May I long for his judgement,

May I remember his rule,

May I ever only preach your word.

Correcting, rebuking and exhorting with great patience.

Make me sober minded, able to endure suffering, ready to share Christ, a faithful minister.

How to make a success of your life - 2 Tim 3:10-17

Father, may the lives of faithful leaders resound in our hearts

As we see their faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions and chosen sufferings,

May the word of their lives send us in the direction of their faith.

May we continue in the Scriptures firmly believing their testimony to them,

As the Scriptures make us wise for salvation

And equip us for holy, good lives.

May we believe your word at this point

And put ourselves under it.

As it soaks into us,

Make us eternally successful for your glory alone.

Been hurt by the church? 2 Tim 3:1-9

Father,

As we experience the worship of self,

The love of money, pride, arrogance and abuse;

Disobedience reigns,

Ungrateful, unholy, unloving, uncontrolled and slanderous;

People are brutal, treacherous, reckless, conceited and pleasure loving

We easily become uncertain and afraid.

And we easily become like them…

Teach us to avoid such people, not to admire them but instead to seek truth and commit to the outcomes of truth in our lives;

As truth makes us more holy like Christ

Amen

Follow a Leader of Holiness - 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Father, forgive us that we quarrel.

We have foolish and stupid arguments.

Our mouths are full of godless chatter.

And we are in danger of wandering away from the truth.

May ministers be holy instruments.

  Faithful with your word.

  Correctly handling it.

May ministers flee evil desires and passions.

  And pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

May we be kind,

  Not resentful,

  Patiently enduring,

  Gently instructing,

Waiting on you to grant repentance.

Scandalous Suffering (part 2) 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Father, give us faithful men and women to whom we can entrust the gospel.

May they be able to teach.

May they be

Soldiers, obedient;

Athletes, compliant;

Farmers, hard-working;

Willing to suffer.

May we remember Jesus suffering,

And that we suffer for the elect.

May we be willing to die,

Steadfast to endure,

Undenying in suffering,

Faithful to the end.

Scandalous Suffering (part 1) - 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Father I am often ashamed of you and Jesus my Lord.

I am not willing to suffer much for Christ!

I need the power of God.

You have saved me and called me

By your purposes and grace

In Christ Jesus before the ages began.

Jesus appeared, abolished death

Brought life and immortality.

May we follow the patterns of sound words and guard the good deposit given to us.

Save me from a timid, fearful, ineffective and ashamed life.

Follow a Leader of Sincere Faith - 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Father,

You have promised and provided life in Christ Jesus.

You give to us undeserved grace, free mercy and sustaining peace.

Give us men of sincere faith to lead us.

Men who fan into flames the gift of God;

Who confront their fears;

And who are full of the spirit of power, love and self-control.

Remove leaders that are proud and self-sufficient; who sow hatred, licentiousness and lawlessness.

Save your people I pray.