Prayer, matched as breath to everyday living, is extremely diverse in parts, keeping at heart (What we know about God has a profound influence on our prayers – we learn about God from the scriptures and this affects our prayers – " the deeper our grasp of the scriptures the greater influence it will have on our prayers), in contract with experience on earth, Paul’s prayer is taught as a remedy for life on earth, it's applied not just to oneself but extended in dimensions. - In a world full of deceit, immoral corruption and idolatrous features.
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Since the Apostle Paul gave us the majority of the New Testament epistles, we can learn a lot from his teachings on prayer. He exhorts us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and present our requests to God in everything we go through (Philippians 4:6-7). If these are his views on prayer, it is natural to find prayers throughout his writings. In fact, he tells us to imitate him as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Therefore, let’s look at what we can learn from his prayers.
My first observation when looking at the prayers of Paul is " it is not always clear where his teachings stop and his prayers begin. They intertwine seamlessly. For instance, as we read the beginning of Ephesians, we find an awe-inspiring description of God and who He is towards us. Paul starts by declaring praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). It would be natural to assume we are listening in to one of his prayers. While this may be correct, he transitions into deep theological truths that many of us have memorized to deepen our faith. Here are three things I have learned from Paul’s prayers:
1. Paul Worships God
Paul was amazed by who God was and what He had done for him. While Paul was sharing what God was like, worship was the natural overflow. He would praise God for his comfort, power, provision, and protection. He would praise Him for who He is and what He has done. The more we get to know God, the more we want to express our praise to Him. It is what we have been created for and when we live for Him, our lives will also be poured in praise.
2. Paul Prays for Other Believers
It might be because these are letters to people, but Paul’s epistles are full of how he is praying for them. He lets us know he is thanking God for them. Other believers gave Paul great joy, and it led him to thanksgiving. He asks God to be able to see them again and for their growth and knowledge of God. More than anything else, Paul asks God for His grace on them.
3. Paul Prays for Himself
Finally, Paul also asks for others to pray for him. Specifically he asked for prayers of safety and the effectiveness of his ministry. Paul was a man driven with passion for the Gospel. Many people responded to his message, but there was also a violent group that hated what he was doing. These two requests are natural extrapolation of what mattered to Paul. You may want prayers for the same things, but you may want prayers for your kids, health, work, or any other passion God has given you. (Preach Coach)
D.A. Carson wrote on an excellent book based on Paul’s prayers, " A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Priorities from Paul and His Prayers. In it, he says we should seek “to find out exactly what it is he asks God for on their [the people he prays for] behalf, and compare the results with what we normally ask for.”
Who is Pauline?
Pauline is seen as the apostle Paul ministry, teaching or doctrine.
Biblically mentioned, ' Paul as an apostle and servant of Jesus Christ called to be separated unto the Gospel of God, whose world appearance is made to slaughter God’s disciples, until the transformation (Act 9: 1-9, 9: 15-16) and a conversion of name and purpose from Saul to Paul (Act 13: 9, 13).
The on set of his missionary in Christ began from ( Act 13: 1-5, 16, 17: 10-17, 19-34) with the preaching- of the words of truth (The Gospel), his numerous visitation and sincerity prayer for the churches onto justification in faith, (Roman 4: 1-7, 5: 1-2), Reconciliation in Christ (6: 3-12), efficiency of grace (8: 10-13), justification by Christ (8: 28-31), and salvation for Christ.
“ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” – Rom 10: 1
“ That if though saith it?, The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. (: 8) that if though shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (: 9) for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (: 10) for the scripture saith, whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed, for there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (: 11-12).
Mainly, Paul's spoken on the necessaries for prayer and wrote on understanding of righteousness (transformation in Christ)- 12: 1-9
“ And: be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and prefect , will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”. (: 2-3)
And Paul's laid down sermons on, manners of Christian endeavors (manner of prayers, communication, ideology for resurrection, gospel ministration, godly sorrow, marriage, almsgiving, glory in infirmity, exhortation in unity, fruit of the spirit, armour of Christ, exhortation in charity, second coming of Christ ( 2Cor 4: 17-18)
“ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”- immoral glory (: 17)
All to the elimination of the world of darkness (sin, ungodly) onto the light God in spread of Christ ( The Gospel ).
Therefore it's of great benefit to study the prayers of the scriptures – " Moses argued with God; David sang praises in pray; Solomon’s wonderful broad-visionary prayer at the dedication of the temple; Nehemiah…; Jeremiah …; Mary …; Jesus himself …; and then Paul… .
Here are the foundation (building blocks ) of Paul's prayer;
1. Paul thanked God for each one of his people.
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you…” (Romans 1:8-10)
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” (1 Corinthians 1:4)
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” (Ephesians 1:16)
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4)
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…” (Colossians 1:3)
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers…” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3a)
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right…” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3)
“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers…” (Philemon 1:4)
2. Pray for Wisdom and Knowledge
Paul prayed for their wisdom and knowledge. He prayed “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him…” (Ephesians 1:17)
“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)
3. Pray for Hope
Paul also prayed they would be full of hope.
“…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, 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)
“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. Paul prayed they would live in peace and unity.
“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)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
5. Paul prayed they would be strengthened with spiritual power.
“…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be spiritual with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16 ESV)
“…that you may know…what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might…” (Colossians 1:11a)
6. Paul prayed they would learn to abide in Christ.
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:17a)
“…that you…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, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19)
7. Paul prayed they would grow in their love for others.
“…that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” (Ephesians 3:17b)
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more…” (Philippians 1:9a)
8. Paul prayed for their righteousness and purity.
“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, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him…” (Colossians 1:10a)
“But we pray to God that you may not do wrong…” (2 Corinthians 13:7a)
“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. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
9. Paul prayed they would overflow with praise and thanks to God.
“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:12)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort…” (2 Corinthians 1:3)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 1:3)
“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:12)
10. Paul prayed for opportunities to minister to them.
“…as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)
Now, here's the Big deep question.
Is the central focus of our prayers similar to that of the Apostle’s? Or has the secularisation of our lives made our prayers parochial, self-centred and earth-bound? Are the petitions that we present to God in line with what Paul prays for (Paul prayer foundation )? How intense and extended are our prayers?
Conclusion
Of a truth, we cannot pray for everyone in the world - specifically by name, however we need to focus on and pray for parts of the world that we have never visited! as Apostle Paul. As believers, we also need to examine and evaluate our prayer lifes to be sure we are praying right and if we are(n't), we must learn how to do better? This kind of praying (Pauline Prayer) is a crucial element of our expression of the Church at large – it helps to enlarge our horizons, increase our ministry and help us become world Christians. {D A Carson}
References:
https://prayer-coach.com/prayers-of-paul/
(43 Biblical Prayers of the Apostle Paul)
https://thinke.org/blog/10-powerful-prayers-the-apostle-paul-prayed-over-gods-people-andrew-hess
(10 Powerful Prayer the Apostle Paul prayed over God's people - Andrew Hess)
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