The Priority of Prayer

What is the most important thing the church can do? In this message from 1 Timothy 2:1–7, Pastor Sam Kraemer makes the case that before anything else—before preaching, serving, strategizing, or even discipling—the church must be devoted to prayer. Prayer is not a last resort; it is the first priority. It is the means by which God works, builds His church, and brings about true spiritual fruit. This sermon explores Paul's call to pray with urgency and consistency, highlighting both the variety of prayer (supplication, intercession, thanksgiving) and the scope of prayer—for all kinds of people, including rulers, authorities, and the lost. You'll be challenged to examine your own prayer life and encouraged with practical ways to grow in making prayer central, both personally and corporately. Ultimately, this passage reminds us that while there are many kinds of people, there is only one God and one Mediator—Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for sinners. And if we long to see lives changed and the gospel advance, we must begin where Paul begins: "First of all… pray."