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7 Prayers of Paul and What We Can Learn from Them
The Power and Pattern: 7 Prayers of Paul and What We Can Learn from Them
The apostle Paul, a towering figure in early Christianity, was not only a prolific writer and indefatigable missionary but also a man of profound prayer. His epistles, rich with theological exposition and practical instruction, frequently open or close with heartfelt prayers for the believers to whom he wrote. These prayers are not mere formalities; they are windows into Paul's spiritual priorities and a blueprint for our own prayer lives. By examining seven distinct prayers from Paul's New Testament letters, we can glean invaluable lessons on how to approach God, what to ask for, and how to align our desires with His divine will. Let us delve into these powerful petitions, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and discover the transformative truths they hold for us today.
Prayer 1: Seeking Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:16-23)
Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1 is a profound request for spiritual enlightenment, demonstrating his desire for believers to truly comprehend the riches of their inheritance in Christ. He prays for a deeper knowledge of God Himself and the immeasurable power available to those who believe.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth in all.
Here, Paul does not pray for material wealth or earthly comfort, but for a deeper, more profound knowledge of God and His power. We learn that our prayers should prioritize spiritual understanding and revelation, seeking to know God intimately and grasp the magnitude of His work in Christ. This prayer reminds us that true spiritual growth comes from an enlightened understanding of our identity in Christ and the power that raised Him from the dead, which is also at work in us.
- Lesson: Prioritize spiritual enlightenment over material gain. Pray for wisdom, revelation, and an understanding of God's power and our glorious inheritance in Him.
Prayer 2: For Inner Strength and Love (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Following his glorious exposition of God's mystery revealed in Christ, Paul kneels in prayer, petitioning for the believers to be strengthened in their inner being and to be rooted and grounded in love. This prayer culminates in a doxology that extols God's immeasurable power.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Paul's desire is not for external comfort, but for internal fortitude—strength in the "inner man" by the Holy Spirit. He prays that Christ would make His home in their hearts through faith, enabling them to grasp the incomprehensible dimensions of Christ's love. This leads to being filled with "all the fulness of God." We learn that true spiritual stability comes from being deeply rooted in divine love, which empowers us to live a life that reflects God's character. The doxology at the end reminds us that God is able to do far more than we can imagine.
- Lesson: Pray for spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit, for Christ to be fully at home in your heart, and for a deep comprehension of God's boundless love, leading to spiritual fullness.
Prayer 3: For Abounding Love and Discernment (Philippians 1:9-11)
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expresses his deep affection for them and prays for their love to abound, coupled with knowledge and discernment, so they might be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Paul's prayer here is not just for an increase in love, but for love that is intelligent and discerning. He understands that genuine Christian love is not sentimental but is guided by knowledge and sound judgment, enabling believers to distinguish what is excellent and avoid stumbling blocks. This leads to a life of sincerity and blamelessness, producing the "fruits of righteousness" that glorify God. This teaches us that our love for God and others should be growing, wise, and practical, leading to a holy and fruitful life.
- Lesson: Pray for your love to increase, but always accompanied by knowledge and discernment, enabling you to live a life of integrity and bear righteous fruit that honors God.
Prayer 4: For Knowledge, Worthy Walk, and Endurance (Colossians 1:9-12)
Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers is comprehensive, encompassing spiritual knowledge, a worthy walk, strength for endurance, and joy in thanksgiving. It reflects a holistic view of Christian living.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
This prayer emphasizes the importance of knowing God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. This knowledge is not theoretical but practical, leading to a life that is "worthy of the Lord" and pleasing to Him, characterized by fruitfulness and an increasing knowledge of God. Paul also prays for strength to endure trials with patience and joyfulness, culminating in thankfulness for our spiritual inheritance. We learn that prayer should cover our intellectual understanding of God, our practical walk, our perseverance in trials, and our attitude of gratitude.
- Lesson: Pray for a full knowledge of God's will, for a life that pleases Him and bears good fruit, and for strength to endure challenges with patience, joy, and thanksgiving.
Prayer 5: For Growth in Love and Holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13)
Paul expresses his fervent desire to see the Thessalonian believers again and to perfect what is lacking in their faith. His prayer reveals a deep pastoral heart, yearning for their spiritual maturity and holiness.
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Paul's prayer here highlights his longing for fellowship and his concern for their spiritual completeness. He asks God to help them grow where their faith might be deficient. More specifically, he prays for their love to "increase and abound" towards one another and all people, leading to their hearts being "unblameable in holiness" before God at Christ's return. This teaches us to pray for the spiritual deficiencies of others and ourselves, for an overflowing love that extends to all, and for the establishment of our hearts in holiness as we anticipate Christ's second coming.
- Lesson: Pray for spiritual maturity, for an ever-increasing love towards all people, and for God to establish your heart in blameless holiness in preparation for Christ's return.
Prayer 6: For Opportunities in Ministry and Fellowship (Romans 1:8-10)
In his opening to the Roman church, Paul thanks God for their faith and reveals his consistent prayer to visit them, demonstrating his desire for mutual encouragement and ministry opportunities.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Paul's prayer in Romans 1:8-10 illustrates a key aspect of a missionary's prayer life: praying for open doors for ministry and fellowship. He consistently prays for the opportunity to come to Rome, not for personal gain, but so that he might impart some spiritual gift and that they might be mutually encouraged by each other's faith (Romans 1:11-12). This teaches us to pray specifically for God's will concerning our paths and for opportunities to serve others, build up the body of Christ, and experience edifying fellowship. It reminds us that our prayers should include requests for God to direct our steps in accordance with His purposes.
- Lesson: Pray for God to direct your path, for open doors for ministry, and for opportunities for mutual encouragement and fellowship with other believers.
Prayer 7: For Grace in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Paul's prayer concerning his "thorn in the flesh" is unique among his petitions, as it involves a direct request for personal relief that God chose not to grant in the way Paul desired, instead revealing the power of His grace in weakness.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
This passage reveals Paul's vulnerability and his honest prayer for deliverance from a persistent affliction. Despite his fervent prayers, God's answer was not removal, but the profound truth: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul's response to this divine revelation is to embrace his weakness, knowing that it provides a conduit for Christ's power. We learn that while we should pray honestly for our needs and relief from suffering, we must also trust God's sovereign wisdom when His answer is "no" or "not yet." His grace is always sufficient, and His strength is often most evident in our moments of greatest weakness. This prayer teaches us to find contentment and even joy in our infirmities, knowing that they can be platforms for God's glory.
- Lesson: Pray honestly about your struggles, but accept God's sovereign answer. Trust that His grace is sufficient in your weakness, and that His strength is perfected through your infirmities.
Conclusion: Emulating Paul's Prayer Life
The prayers of Paul are a rich tapestry woven with threads of spiritual maturity, selfless love, and unwavering faith. They consistently demonstrate a focus on the spiritual growth of believers, the advancement of God's kingdom, and the glory of Christ, rather than on fleeting earthly comforts. From seeking wisdom and inner strength to desiring abounding love, discernment, and holiness, Paul's petitions serve as a powerful model for our own communication with God.
We learn that our prayers should be:
- Spiritually Focused: Prioritizing knowledge of God, inner strength, and growth in grace.
- Others-Centered: Regularly interceding for fellow believers' faith, love, and holiness.
- Purpose-Driven: Asking for opportunities to serve and advance the Gospel.
- Humbly Submitted: Trusting God's wisdom even when His answer is not what we expect, finding strength in His sufficient grace.
- Thankful: Always acknowledging God's goodness and power.
May we, like Paul, be men and women of fervent, purposeful prayer, continually bowing our knees before the Father, seeking His will, and trusting in His exceeding abundant power to do "above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20) for His glory and praise. Let us make these "7 Prayers of Paul" not just a study, but a pattern for our daily walk with the Lord.
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