Today, I want to share with you on prayer. It is little more than reading to you a number of Scriptures on prayer. I make no apology for this since these are the words of life. So let’s open ourselves to this and allow ourselves be saturated in God’s truth this morning.
Turn to Ephesians 6:18 in your Bibles. Here Paul says “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (NIV) He calls us to pray for one another. But what should we pray for, as we pray for one another?
It is certainly true that we are to let the Spirit lead us when we pray. Notice that Paul says right before this call to prayer, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” We are to listen for the Spirit as we pray.
But it is also good to have some ideas of what to pray for. And so this morning we want to learn how to pray for one another – from the prayers of Paul in the New Testament, who was certainly led by the Spirit. What I am saying is that his prayers can serve as a guide for us. I have broken this down into several categories.
1. For us to have strength to be faithful
Paul prays, “. . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . ..” – Ephesians 3:16. He also says, “may you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience . . ..” – Colossians 1:11.
And for sure, without God’s strength we cannot be faithful. So we need the Spirit to help us.
2. For us to grow spiritually
Paul says, “your completion is what we pray for” – 2 Corinthians 13:9. The focus in on maturity. He also says, “it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more. . ..” – Philippians 1:9. He is asking that we grow in our love for God and others and that our love may be deeper and truer.
3. For us to have hope
It is easy to get discouraged in this world that we live in, and so we need this. Paul prays, “. . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints . . ..” – Ephesians 1:18-19. We need to remember what awaits us in the end – our inheritance, for this helps us to keep moving forward.
He also said, “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13.
4. For God’s comfort in difficult situations
He said, “now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
5. For harmony among ourselves
This can be hard when there are misunderstandings, disagreements, and even wrongdoing going on.
Paul prays for the church in Rome, “may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 15:5-6. When they come together for worship they are able to lift up one voice to God because of their peace. This is a blessing from the Lord.
6. For God’s presence to be with us
“The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16. This is a benediction, which is an indirect prayer, spoken to the people, but prayed to God.
Paul also prays an amazing prayer in Ephesians 3:19. He asks, “. . . that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:19. Now, see I would think just a small bit of God would be enough to explode me! But he prays that we be filled “with all the fullness of God!
7. That we might know God better
Paul prays, “. . . that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him . . ..” – Ephesians 1:17. I think we often get stuck as beginners in our understanding of God. And yet there is so much more to know of who God is and how amazing God is. Think about it – we will spend an eternity in God’s presence but we will never exhaust all that there is to know about God! But we can know more and should pray for this for each other.
8. That we might know God’s love
Paul prays, “may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:5.
He also prays that they – “. . . being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge . . ..” – Ephesians 3:17-19. We need God’s strength to help us try to grasp the totality of God’s love for us.
9. That we might know God’s will
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent . . ..” – Philippians 1:9-10. “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding . . ..” – Colossians 1:9.
10. That we will walk in obedience to God
Once we know God’s will we need to do it. Paul says, “but we pray to God that you may not do wrong . . . but that you may do what is right . . ..” – 2 Corinthians 13:7. He also prays for them “. . . to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work . . ..” – Colossians 1:10.
11. That our lives will glorify God
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.
12. That we will be ready for the final day
– to meet Jesus when he returns. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23. He also prays that they may “. . . be pure and blameless for the day of Christ . . ..” – Philippians 1:10.
So these are some examples from the prayers of Paul:
1. For strength to be faithful
2. For us to grow spiritually
3. For us to have hope
4. For God’s comfort in difficult situations
5. For harmony among ourselves
6. For God’s presence to be with us
7. That we might know God better
8. That we might know God’s love
9. That we might know God’s will
10. That we will walk in obedience to God
11. That our lives will glorify God
12. That we will be ready for the final day
I certainly ask you to pray for me in all these ways. I surely need it. And I do hope that you pray for me as your pastor. And I would also ask you to remember to pray for everyone in our congregation in these ways.
Now, there are a couple of additional ways to respond this morning. One is to fill out the prayer commitment card in your bulletin:
- You can make a commitment to pray for our congregation and for each other regularly. That is, beyond occasional prayers when you think of it.
- You can also join the prayer team, which prays regularly and also meets once a month to pray for the congregation.
Second, you can come forward this morning for special prayer for yourself, or for someone else.
William Higgins
Christian teaching 