Paul wrote this to Timothy right after he discussed the purpose of his writing in verse 18 of the previous chapter. There, Paul writes:
" I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience"[2]Paul is teaching Timothy how to fight, and the first weapon he mentions is prayer. Prayer is a weapon with divine power, able to destroy strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). Paul tells us to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, by praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Eph. 6:17-18). The prophet's prayer started a spiritual battle in Daniel chapter ten. We are in a war. If we want to succeed, we have to fight. If we want to fight, we must pray.
WE ARE IN A WAR. Our college campuses will not be won easily. Satan will not simply unhand the grasp he has on our universities. Our country will not see the fruits of national revival simply through praise music. We must pray.
Paul could have mentioned anything in 1 Timothy 2:1. He could have proclaimed the sufficiency of Scripture for life and godliness. He might have commanded Timothy to live holy and righteous before God and man. Verse one of this 2nd chapter would have been a perfect time to preach the importance of the grace of God, but he did not. He specifically, intentionally advocates prayer as the foremost weapon in this battle.
We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this present darkness (Eph. 6:10). We wrestle for the Kingdom of God, for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this earth. So pray.
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