How can one combine making up for both distant and recent missed prayers, and does making up for a recent missed prayer (such as the 'Asr prayer missed on the same day) take precedence over previously missed prayers?

Scholars differ concerning the obligation of arranging missed prayers (fawa'it). It is better to delay making up the Asr prayer in order to make up the previously missed prayers, because arrangement is obligatory according to the Hanbalis, and the Malikis and Hanafis if the missed prayers are few. Nevertheless, it is valid to prioritize making up the Asr prayer over others according to most scholars.