If you would like to find a balanced book that doesn't sensationalize the end times or rewrite traditional Christian teachings to fit in with the spirit of our age or to prop up American foreign policy decisions you'll enjoy "Ultimate Things." Though the author sometimes infers that Protestants all embrace pre-millennial dispensationalism (which we don't), and  though the book is occasionally speculative with perhaps an overly inflated view of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is overall a very helpful book.  I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the end times and a desire to prepare their hearts and minds to meet the Lord upon His return.

            Years before he wrote the above passage to Timothy, Paul was an unbeliever.  In fact we are told that Paul was present among those who murdered the first Christian martyr, Stephen.  Very likely it was on that occasion that Paul heard his first evangelistic prayer.  The blood spattered Stephen, practically with his dying breath began praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them."  And I doubt that Paul ever forgot that. 

           In  the above text we read Paul now a converted man and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, spurring Christians on to what had no doubt become a central part of his own ministry – the great work of evangelistic prayer.
              First, he tells us:

Notice, that what Paul is about to say is of great importance.

            First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made…
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

            The primary mission and aim of the church concerns the prayerful and open communication of the gospel to men and women, boys and girls.  We exist, if you like,  as the public relations arm of the Kingdom of Heaven - and that is why Paul says, this is “first” of all (v.1a).  Of all the things the church is commissioned to do communicating the good news of Jesus Christ is "first."  Because this work is so important we must commit it to prayer - four types of which are referenced by Paul in v.1 and run as follows:
        
1.  Supplications
            This word carries with it the idea of  “being without something.”  To put it another way, evangelistic prayer comes from a sense of need.   We call upon God to supply what is lacking and what is lacking – for many in our world, is saving faith.  
            This reality should spur us on in our supplications...  the understanding that my children, my neighbor, my spouse, and my friends are all never-dying souls who will live somewhere in eternity forever, should cause us to to engage in supplications. 

2.  Prayers
            This is a general word for prayer in the bible and it carries with it the idea of worship with reverence.  Paul is telling us that part of worshiping God with reverence involves calling on Him to save lost people.

3.  Intercessions       
            This is the idea of getting alongside someone.  It is a prayer in which the one praying identifies with those he’s praying for.   It is appealing to God based upon the fact that you can Identify with people's need for the gospel.  And why can you identify with their need for the gospel?  Because you need it yourself.  

4.  Thanksgivings
            This is gratitude to God for the fact that there is a gospel is the first place.  Could you imagine if there weren't?   But there is!  Right here in a world of bad-news there is a God-given message of good-news!  Moreover, out of all of the people on planet earth, we - the Church - have been given the privilege and responsibility to bring this good news to bear upon ourselves and to take it to others.  Because of this our prayers should be filled with thankfulness and total reliance upon the reality that the gospel is the means through which God answers our evangelistic "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings."
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)