Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Let us storm the gates of heaven through prayer. I marvel at the profound theological insights that are included in Paul’s prayers. Paul was not the only leader who prayed for his people. They could pray for themselves, of course, but it would really help them to know that their leader was praying for them, too, even though he was far away. Paul sets an interesting example for us today. Notice also that Paul emphasized his prayers by calling on God himself as his witness. "God, I thank you for others. There are some prayers in 1 Timothy, and some exhortations to pray, but not quite like the previous epistles. Pray that Your Pastor Clearly Sees God’s Direction. Each of us has to believe and embrace Paul’s theology of prayer if we are going to experience the power of prayer in our lives. There is no prayer in Titus, but it is prominent in Philemon: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. In this respect, people today are no different than those of the first century. Let’s go to the next epistle and see how consistent Paul is: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints” (Col. 1:3-4). If you’d like to study this subject more…, Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living. When we consider the many sins that existed in the church at Corinth, we can understand why Paul would be so thankful for God’s grace. One result of sharing the faith, Paul says, is that we can grow in understanding the blessings Christ has brought to us. 1:2-3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. All the while let us be … We don’t pray to show off or to be seen or heard by people — we pray to speak to God. 1:8-12). He said, “I urge you … to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (15:30). One result of sharing the faith, Paul says, is that we can grow in understanding the blessings Christ has brought to us. (W.B. Paul wanted the Roman Christians to realize that they were important to him. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray … Prayer serves not only the people we are praying for — it also serves the person who prays. 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! 1:3-5, 8-11). May the power of Jesus Christ continually fill with joy, grace, peace … The chief purpose in that book is to think through some of Paul’s prayers, so that we may align our prayer … We can read about them. Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Note the plural here — Paul and Timothy were praying together, in prison (cf. 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. Paul prayed about his churches, and he also prayed for his churches. In this respect, people today are no different than those of the first century. And they are public, for our benefit. We have a request, and we should therefore bring it to God in prayer (Phil. 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. Note the plural here — Paul and Timothy were praying together, in prison (cf. 1:2-3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the Lord with all your … Quite a few years ago I memorized some of Paul’s prayers like Eph 1:17-19, Eph 3:16-21, etc. Your Word tells us that if we ask anything in his name, we know that … 9), "God is my witness, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. 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. Pastors should pray for their people. No doubt these insights helped the Ephesian Christians not only be encouraged by Paul’s prayers for them, but these details would help the Ephesians in their own prayers. Why was Paul so persistent in prayer for them? Encourage our hearts, Lord God. I marvel at the profound theological insights that are included in Paul’s prayers. That alone reshaped how I pray. Please feel free to use or to adapt these prayers however you see fit. Colossians 1:9b-12. How often do we specify exactly what it is we are thankful for, or what specific request we are making on their behalf, what kind of spiritual growth we desire for them? We have a desire, and we have a need. 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. But how often do we tell our people that we pray for them? Paul’s apostolate began in prayer and, according to tradition, ended in prayer as he was martyred. Let’s go to the next epistle and see how consistent Paul is: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints” (Col. 1:3-4). 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. 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. Am I willing to tell people that I am praying for them? Paul's Habits Of Prayer These are revealed almost unconsciously. 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. Prayer: Paul’s Pastoral Prayers Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. 1:3-4). 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. Again, we see here some theology made practical. He mentions his thankfulness for what God had done in the readers: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (verses 15-16). We're thankful for Who and What You are and we thank You for what You mean to us. In this article, I will focus on the need for leaders to pray for the people. It isn’t wrong to pray in public — Jesus himself did it. The Apostle Paul’s prayers for God’s people are a fascinating study. We are encouraged when we learn that people are praying for us, so it only makes sense that we can encourage them by acknowledging some of the details in which we are praying for them. He gives us grace so that we might be gracious to others. Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Let’s pray for our members, and let’s let them know we are praying for them. There is an ancient mantra from church history, “As the church prays, so she believes.” Our congregation develops her view of God, the … Hunter, “Prayer,” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, edited by G. Hawthorne, R. Martin and D. Reid [InterVarsity, 1993], p. 725), In Ephesians, the thanksgiving section is unusually long. Pastor Scott L. Harris. )[2)Corinthians)9:12–15]) … I’m thankful that he did this in public. 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. Would we begin our message to such a church by praising the grace of God? Would we begin our message to such a church by praising the grace of God? Small group leaders should pray for their people. shining on us and walk in your light. 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. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. As time went on and I paid attention to what Paul prays for, my own prayers … God, I thank you for others. 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. 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. 1:8-12). Part of ourneed, as leaders of God’s people, is to pray for the people God has called us to serve. Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks. their)prayers)for)you)their)hearts)will)go)outto)you,)because)of)the)surpassing)grace)God)has) give)you.)Thanks)be)toGod)for)his)indescribable)gift! to all … God will help us in our need. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living. What makes it right or wrong is the motive, not whether it’s public. This is for our benefit as well as for theirs. Notice also that Paul emphasized his prayers by calling on God himself as his witness. It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. We have a duty — and it should also be a desire — to lead God’s people toward his Son. They could pray for themselves, of course, but it would really help them to know that their leader was praying for them, too, even though he was far away. Paul’s example helps us see one of the ways in which a spiritual leader serves his people. He mentions his thankfulness for what God had done in the readers: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (verses 15-16). 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). God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Rom. 4:6). How often do we specify exactly what it is we are thankful for, or what specific request we are making on their behalf, what kind of spiritual growth we desire for them? Apart from prayer, life as a redeemed bondservant of Christ was both inconceivable and impossible. His prayers focused on hearts and minds being conformed to Christ. But how often do we tell our people that we pray for them? We can read about them. 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. 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? It isn’t wrong to pray in public — Jesus himself did it. For I long to see you, that I … We don’t pray to show off or to be seen or heard by people — we pray to speak to God. And remember that even though he's great and mighty, yet he's right here with us … Paul’s prayers are not empty platitudes or vague generalities — they are specific and based in theological truth. 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. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (verses 17-19). This will strengthen the church, help unify it and build it up. 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. Can I learn something from Paul’s example here? It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. Paul prayed they would be full of hope. Paul’s prayers are tremendously encouraging and informative. Even in a private letter, Paul shared his prayer for that person. How many of us pray, as Paul did, that our members are active in sharing their faith? Can I learn something from Paul’s example here? Again, we see here some theology made practical. Even in a private letter, Paul shared his prayer for that person. 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! 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. Let’s go to the next epistle in the canon: “I thank my God every time I remember you. Paul is very open with the fact that he prays for his people, and he is open with some details of those prayers. Sermon by Ian Reed on Colossians 1:9-12 St Mary's Community Church, 29/11/2020 https://www.facebook.com/StMarysCommunityChurch richtoller@gmail.com Amen. Paul realized that what God gives us, he wants us to give to others. ... Pastor Luth says that it is a terrible thing for preachers to go home feeling like their sermon suffered from a failure to launch. 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 As we grow in our understanding of Christ’s blessings, let’s share our blessings with others. But of ourselves, we cannot do it. There are some prayers in 1 Timothy, and some exhortations to pray, but not quite like the previous epistles. Paul begins with praise in verse 3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”. Prayer is part of each … There is no prayer in Titus, but it is prominent in Philemon: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. Am I willing to tell people that I am praying for them? 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. He wasn’t afraid to talk about prayer or to pray in public. He writes (Rom. It is a constructive thing, an edifying and unifying thing, to tell our people that we pray for them — and it is more effective to mention some specifics of our prayers for them. That it was pushed … Let us pray boldly, let us pray confidently, and let us pray constantly. by Charles Killian, Asbury Theological Seminary Professor 1970-2004I remember the noted George Buttrick saying to us preachers, “If you are so busy that you have to make a choice between preparing your sermon or preparing your pastoral prayer, make sure you prepare your prayer.” When questioned about that response, he added, “Remember to Whom the prayer … Apart from prayer, life as a redeemed bondservant of Christ was both inconceivable and impossible. 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…. We have it in our power to do some good, and we should not withhold it from the people who need it most from us. What a marvelous prayer! But if we say, “I have prayed such and such on your behalf,” it’s more credible, and more comforting. Part of the normal format for a Greek letter was the thanksgiving section, and most of Paul’s letters have this. D.A. He did not pray to show off, but he was not ashamed of his prayers, either. 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. It helped bind them together. In the event of a pastoral care emergency, please contact the parish office (801.322.5869) or clergy directly. He wasn’t afraid to talk about prayer or to pray in public. It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. He gives us grace so that we might be gracious to others. 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. Each member of the St. Paul’s Prayer Chain has pledged to pray for these persons daily, interceding on their behalf. Often it is just a prayer of thanks; sometimes it is also a request. The prayer list is frequently edited. When Jesus was on the cross, he still prayed audibly, even though many unbelievers were there. Acts 16:25). But if we say, “I have prayed such and such on your behalf,” it’s more credible, and more comforting. It has been called one of the tools of Christian growth and one of the spiritual disciplines. Paul’s apostolate began in prayer and, according to tradition, … But of ourselves, we cannot do it. What a marvelous prayer! Paul told his people that he prayed for them continually. [I ask] God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and … Paul’s apostolate began in prayer and, according to tradition, ended in prayer as he was martyred. The prayer helped the people feel united with Paul. 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). As the title suggests, Praying with Paul is a study of the apostle Paul’s prayers designed as a Bible-study companion to the book Praying with Paul (originally titled A Call to Spiritual Reformation). Prayer was important to Paul. Message: Paul’s Prayer Request. 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). Sermon by Ian Reed on Philippians 1:9-11 St Mary's Community Church, 22/11/2020 https://www.facebook.com/StMarysCommunityChurch richtoller@gmail.com Let’s continue this survey of Paul’s epistles by looking at 1 Thess. Paul told his people that he prayed for them continually. Because he wanted to visit them so he could strengthen them, as we see in verses 10-12: “And I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. Paul prayed about his churches, and he also prayed for his churches. Paul sets an interesting example for us today. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. Prayer is part of each Christian’s life, and it is part of the spiritual health of the church. His whole ministry was grounded in, and developed from, prayer. And let us pray until the day Christ returns. Paul’s example helps us see one of the ways in which a spiritual leader serves his people. Paul desired to serve the church and fellowship with the church. Comfort with your presence those who are living in the shadow. Grace Bible Church, NY. If we say, “I’ll pray for you,” it helps a little. 4:6). Paul’s prayers are tremendously encouraging and informative. 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. 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). And I ask myself, Am I willing to do this? St. Paul’s Prayer List. Various verses remind members to pray for the leaders of the church. And I ask myself, Am I willing to do this? We are encouraged when we learn that people are praying for us, so it only makes sense that we can encourage them by acknowledging some of the details in which we are praying for them. It sends a message that prayer is a worthwhile activity, and it encourages members to pray for one another in greater detail, to be more mindful of one another’s needs. If you’d like to study this subject more…. We have a duty — and it should also be a desire — to lead God’s people toward his Son. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! “…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may … 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. He did not pray to show off, but he was not ashamed of his prayers, either. Members in any sort of ministry should pray for the people they strive to serve, including those who are not yet members. For Paul, the Christian experience was essentially (and unceasingly) an act of prayer. Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks # 27 Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus. This is something good for us, and something worth asking God for help in doing. 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. Often it is just a prayer of thanks; sometimes it is also a request. The weekly pastoral prayer is based on by the Psalm reading for the day. A good pastoral prayer will give space for reflection and for asking God's forgiveness. 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