Lifted Hands, Quiet Lives: A Meditation on Prayer and Order

First of all.

πρῶτον πάντων—before everything else. The priority signals importance. Whatever else Timothy must address in troubled Ephesus, this comes first.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people."

Four words for prayer. δεήσεις—petitions, specific requests rising from specific needs. προσευχάς—prayers, the general term for communication with God. ἐντεύξεις—intercessions, approaching God on behalf of others. εὐχαριστίας—thanksgivings, gratitude voiced before the throne.