Holiness in Public Life: Prayer and Modesty Men and women each have special roles to fill in the church, in the home, and in public life. Regarding the latter. the Scriptures direct men to pray for everyone in every place while displaying holiness and gentleness. Women are to dress in modest apparel, modeling godliness and chastity in a world that knows little of either. 1 Timothy 2:1-10  1 Peter 2:9-12

Holiness in public life: Prayer and Modesty Men are to Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8) “Pray everywhere” Their reliance on God and concern for their fellowman would be evident to all. “Lifting up holy hands” Prayer may literally or symbolically involve lifting hands (Neh. 8:6; Ps. 28:2; 141:2; 119:48; Lam. 3:41) The KEY modifier is that the hands be HOLY! “Without wrath and disputing” Gentleness and a congenial spirit should be evident (Philippians 2:14; 4:5)

Holiness in public life: Prayer and Modesty Women are to Dress in Modestly (1 Tim. 2:9) “With Propriety”(“shamefacedness,” “shamefastness”) The people of Jeremiah’s day had not held fast their sense of shame (Jeremiah 6:15) Do we have a sense of shame when it comes to clothes that publicly reveal the human form? (Isaiah 47:2-3; Genesis 3:7, 21) “And moderation” (“self-control,” “sobriety”) “Habitual inner self-government…which would hinder temptation” (R.C. Trench) In contrast to “chaste conduct” which results in “exciting reverence” (1 Peter 3:1-2, cf. Thayer).

Holiness in public life: Prayer and Modesty 1 Peter 1:15-16: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 2:9, 12: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”