People tend to go to one of two extremes when it comes to the subject of prayer. Let’s continue this survey of Paul’s epistles by looking at 1 Thess. I ask you to fill them, and … Quite a few years ago I memorized some of Paul’s prayers like Eph 1:17-19, Eph 3:16-21, etc. Am I willing to tell people that I am praying for them? He gives us grace so that we might be gracious to others. If you know of any persons who should be added or removed please contact the church office or submit a name for prayer request through the prayer … His prayers focused on hearts and minds being conformed to Christ. I marvel at the profound theological insights that are included in Paul’s prayers. How many of us pray, as Paul did, that our members are active in sharing their faith? Unless indicated otherwise, all scripture quotations on this website are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Notice also that Paul emphasized his prayers by calling on God himself as his witness. We don’t pray to show off or to be seen or heard by people — we pray to speak to God. to all … Members in any sort of ministry should pray for the people they strive to serve, including those who are not yet members. He did not pray to show off, but he was not ashamed of his prayers, either. Often it is just a prayer of thanks; sometimes it is also a request. For Paul, the Christian experience was essentially (and unceasingly) an act of prayer. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (verses 4-6). He had a request, and he made it known to God constantly — and he also let the Romans know that he was praying for them. Regarding the members in Corinth, Paul also expressed thanks in his prayers: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. Why was Paul so persistent in prayer for them? We have a desire, and we have a need. This will strengthen the church, help unify it and build it up. shining on us and walk in your light. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”, And in 2 Thess. Would we begin our message to such a church by praising the grace of God? For I long to see you, that I … 4:6). I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (verses 4-6). “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He prayed for other churches, too, including the church at Rome: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. This will strengthen the church, help unify it and build it up. This is something good for us, and something worth asking God for help in doing. And let us pray until the day Christ returns. “…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may … Notice also that Paul emphasized his prayers by calling on God himself as his witness. Paul’s prayers are not empty platitudes or vague generalities — they are specific and based in theological truth. 1:3-4: “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Prayer is part of each … Paul's Habits Of Prayer These are revealed almost unconsciously. Regarding the members in Corinth, Paul also expressed thanks in his prayers: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. We have a request, and we should therefore bring it to God in prayer (Phil. It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. We can be praying for things like this, making requests like this, thanking God for how he is working in our people’s lives, and letting our people know what we are praying. There is an ancient mantra from church history, “As the church prays, so she believes.” Our congregation develops her view of God, the … Although most of this article is based on the prayers of Paul, a good foundation is laid in the Old Testament: In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel told the Israelites, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.” It would be a sin for a leader to neglect praying for his people. How many of us pray, as Paul did, that our members are active in sharing their faith? Paul told his people that he prayed for them continually. Paul realized that what God gives us, he wants us to give to others. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:9-12). It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. Paul desired to serve the church and fellowship with the church. This is for our benefit as well as for theirs. In this article, I will focus on the need for leaders to pray for the people. And it was not just the prayer — it was Paul’s telling them that he prayed. Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks. Acts 16:25). “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. We can read about them. We can be praying for things like this, making requests like this, thanking God for how he is working in our people’s lives, and letting our people know what we are praying. Note the plural here — Paul and Timothy were praying together, in prison (cf. As we grow in our understanding of Christ’s blessings, let’s share our blessings with others. 1:8-12). Apart from prayer, life as a redeemed bondservant of Christ was both inconceivable and impossible. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. If you’d like to study this subject more…, Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living. [I ask] God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and … Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the Lord with all your … Various verses remind members to pray for the leaders of the church. Paul habitually made specific requests to God: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks (# 14) Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus, the name that’s above every name in heaven and on It isn’t wrong to pray in public — Jesus himself did it. We have a duty — and it should also be a desire — to lead God’s people toward his Son. If so, says pastor and author, Ray Pritchard , the ancient prayers of the Apostle Paul can help you. Why was Paul so persistent in prayer for them? 1:8-12). Pastors should pray for their people. Paul realized that what God gives us, he wants us to give to others. (W.B. Let us pray boldly, let us pray confidently, and let us pray constantly. All the while let us be … We have a request, and we should therefore bring it to God in prayer (Phil. Small group leaders should pray for their people. What makes it right or wrong is the motive, not whether it’s public. When a pastor tells them, “I ask God to give you this particular thing, and those particular things,” doesn’t that set a instructive example for them? Paul’s example helps us see one of the ways in which a spiritual leader serves his people. Prayer is part of each Christian’s life, and it is part of the spiritual health of the church. God will help us in our need. Paul’s apostolate began in prayer and, according to tradition, … Pray that Your Pastor Clearly Sees God’s Direction. I marvel at the profound theological insights that are included in Paul’s prayers. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12). Slide 1 of 12. When Jesus was on the cross, he still prayed audibly, even though many unbelievers were there. It must have been very encouraging for the people to realize that the apostle was praying for them, that he was thankful for them, that he wanted them to have more spiritual benefits. It’s interesting to observe the requests Paul makes. 1:3-4). It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. Let’s pray for our members, and let’s let them know we are praying for them. How much more willing should we be to allow our prayers to be known, especially when they are on behalf of the people of God! I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Paul had a desire to visit Rome and to help the Christians there. Again, we see here some theology made practical. However, 2 Timothy begins with the more familiar pattern: “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers” (1:3). The weekly pastoral prayer is based on by the Psalm reading for the day. But of ourselves, we cannot do it. If we say, “I’ll pray for you,” it helps a little. Your Word tells us that if we ask anything in his name, we know that … Let’s pray for our members, and let’s let them know we are praying for them. Even in a private letter, Paul shared his prayer for that person. Paul gives more specifics in Ephesians 3:14-21: I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Paul prayed they would be full of hope. The prayer list is frequently edited. Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #17 Let's talk to the Sovereign Lord of the world and even the whole universe. Those redeemed and hence overwhelmed by the sovereign grace of the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” intentionally and purposefully pour out their lives as a perpetual act of thanksgiving, ever conscious of dependence on an omnipresent and omnipotent God, as they are motivated and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. If we are mindful of how great the task is, and how small our own abilities are, we’ll find it easy to ask for help from the great Shepherd of our souls. He had a request, and he made it known to God constantly — and he also let the Romans know that he was praying for them. In the next letter, he begins with praise: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. A love for his brothers and sisters … Prayer: Paul’s Pastoral Prayers Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Apart from prayer, life as a redeemed bondservant of Christ was both inconceivable and impossible. 1:2-3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. , help unify it and build it up who sin against us Father, can! 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