“Lord Jesus, there is much that we need to internalise regarding prayer.
We see that we are, largely, lacking in prayer. Please change us. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, *and in prayers.
We see a complaint surfacing in the early church, by the Hellenists against the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1) This matter needed to be addressed and so appropriate action was initiated. Nevertheless, look at the stand of the leaders. Acts 6:4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
This reveals how the leaders gave priority to prayer over other important matters. Is this how we are?
Apostle Paul encouraged the churches to give priority to prayer. Colossians 4:2-4 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; (3) meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, (4) that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
As he encouraged the church to pray, he also requested them to specifically pray for his situation. He is not lamenting over his situation that he was in chains, but his longing was that the mystery of Christ needed to be spoken.
What is uppermost in our hearts as we request others to pray for us? Is it for our personal needs alone? Are we obsessed that our personal problems are being resolved? Or are we preoccupied with matters related to sharing the Gospel of Jesus and for people coming into the fellowship of God?
Paul’s prayer concern was not only for the message of Christ to be spoken but his deep burden was for the churches to grow into the image of Jesus. Colossians 1:28-29 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (29) To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
This was Paul’s prayer burden for the churches. II Corinthians 11:28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Romans 1:9 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, / Ephesians 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: / I Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
What did Paul for, specifically, as he prayed for the churches? Yes, it was that they should grow into the fullness of Christ but as we dig deeper, we see that there was much substance in Paul’s prayer for the churches.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; (12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Is this how we pray for others, in His church?
There were others too, who prayed in a similar manner as Paul. Epaphras is an example.
Colossians 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (13) For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Paul not only prayed for the churches, as a fellowship, but he also prayed specifically for individuals.
II Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, / Philemon 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
Here too we see that Paul did not just pray for individuals, in a general manner, but his prayer for individuals was specific, relating to their precise areas of need, in conforming to the image of Christ.
We will take up the prayer of Paul for one church and we will consider, in some detail, his prayer.
Do you hunger and thirst, to pray?