Asking For Prayer Paul

Christian Life / By

Written in 2009

 

PAUL’S REQUEST FOR PRAYER FOR HIMSELF

 

Dear friends,

 

A few days ago, during my devotions, I departed for a day from my usual Bible reading practices to do an analysis of the requests for prayer for himself made by Paul. I think the results are very significant. I will just reproduce below what I wrote down that day after this analysis.

 

Ajith Fernando

 

 

REFERENCES IN CANONICAL ORDER

 

I counted requests for prayer from the recipients of his letters in 8 of his 13 letters (I may have missed some). Note: I have counted statements that he prays for his recipients in 10 of his 13 letters.

 

1. WRESTLING TOGETHER WITH PAUL THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PRAYER FOR HIM

  • Deliverance from unbelievers in Judea
  • Acceptance by the saints in Jersusalem

  • Paul’s dream of visiting Rome

Rom. 15:30-32

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
31  that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

 

 

2. FOR PAUL AND FOR BLESSINGS ON HIS MINISTRY

2 Cor. 1:11:

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

 

 

3. FOR PAUL’S EVANGELISTIC EFFECTIVENESS

Eph. 6:18-20

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

 

4. PRAYER PUT ALONGSIDE THE HELP OF THE SPIRIT IN CAUSING PAUL’S RELEASE FROM PRISON

Phil. 1:19

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,

 

 

5. FOR EVANGELISTIC EFFECTIVENESS

  • for open doors
  • for clarity in proclamation

Col. 4:2-4

2  Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

 

 

6. GENERAL REQUEST FOR PRAYER

1 Thess. 5:25

25  Brothers, pray for us.

 

 

7. FOR EVANGELISTIC EFFECTIVENESS AND DELIVERANCE FROM OPPONENTS

2 Thess. 3:1-2

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, as happened among you,
2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

 

 

8. FOR PAUL’S RELEASE FROM PRISON AND FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO COME TO COLOSSAE

Phlm. 22

22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

 

 

 

TOPICAL ANALYSIS OF PAUL’S REQUEST FOR PRAYER FOR HIM

 

One General Unspecified Request for Prayer

  • 1 Thess. 5:25.

 

Partnership in Ministry.

  • Almost all of these texts show that Prayer is partnership in ministry. Rom. 15:30 is most vivid using the word meaning, “strive together,” “wrestle together” (sunagōnizomai), for the prayers.
  • Phil. 1:19 presents the prayers of the Philippians alongside the Holy Spirit as causing Paul’s release from prison.
  • 2 Cor. 1:11 talks of praying as helping Paul and being a means to blessing in ministry resulting in many people thanking God.

 

Acceptance by other Christians.

  • Paul asks for prayers that the Christians in Jerusalem would accept him and his service to them (Rom. 15:31).

 

 

For Evangelistic Effectiveness. Prayer is asked often for Paul’s evangelistic ministry;

  • for open doors for evangelism (Col. 4:3; );
  • for the right words to use (Eph. 6:19, 20—twice; );
  • for clarity in proclamation (Co. 4:4)
  • for boldness in speaking (Eph. 6:19-20—twice);
  • for the Word to speed ahead and be honoured (2 Thess. 3:1)

 

 

His Dreams of Visiting them.

  • Paul asks for prayer that his dream of visiting the people he is writing to may be fulfilled (Rome—Rom. 15:32; Colossae—Phlm. 22) would be fulfilled (Note he himself prayed night and day that he may be able to visit Thessalonica—1 Thess. 3:10).

 

 

Deliverance from Trouble. Prayer is asked for deliverance from trouble;

  • from prison (Phil. 1:19; Phlm. 22) and
  • from opponents (Rom. 15:31; 2 Thess. 3:2).

 

 

THE MESSAGE I WANT TO BURN INTO YOUR HEARTS IS THIS:

ASK PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR YOU!

 

If we do anything worthwhile in life, it is because of grace. Prayer is one of the great agents through which grace flows into our lives. Not all of the people whom we ask to pray for us will take up the challenge. And we must not blame them. People have so many demands on their time these days that they need to decide what challenges they will personally take on and what they will not. If you ask fifteen people and five people pray for you—that is well worth the effort.

 

 

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b).