Paul seems to be bearing down on men in 1 Timothy 2.1-8, on the need for men to enrich their prayer lives. It’s not that men didn’t pray then or don’t pray now. Paul just wanted more of men’s prayers than they were doubtless giving. Our excerpt from If Men Will Pray is found on pages 39, 40:
“We might wonder why Paul is so emphatic in urging men to pray, and not men and women (see how, in v. 9, he turns his attention to the women of Ephesus).
“I suspect the answer is that Paul knew the women of Ephesus, that they were already praying as they should. He didn’t need to direct a special word of instruction to them. And this remains the situation today. Call a meeting for prayer, and 90% of those who show up will be women. It’s not that prayer comes more naturally to women, because men and women alike are capable of prayer. It’s rather that, for some reason, women understand the importance of prayer, and they tend to be more faithful in practicing it than men are (cf. Paul’s experience in Philippi, Acts 16.13).
“But this begs the question: Why don’t men pray?
“I know that men pray; apparently, however, they don’t pray as much as they should, at least, not as much as Paul thought they should.
“So why not? Why don’t men pray?”
For reflection or discussion
1. What is your experience? Do you find that women are more diligent in prayer than men?
2. What are some reasons you might think of that men don’t pray as they should?
I’m pretty sure most Christian men pray. But it’s clear that Paul had higher expectations than we do for our prayer lives. That’s because, first, he understood men and, second, he knew the power of prayer. Do we? Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. You can order free copies of If Men Will Pray by going to The Ailbe Bookstore.
