Prayer in the Epistles
Prayer is very important to God. Many have taught about what prayer is and how prayers ought to be offered to God. Some have looked at the prayers of men and women in the Old Testament. Some have reviewed the prayers of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. Some have taught that the example of prayer offered by Jesus Christ to his Judean followers ought to be "the prayer" offered by his followers today. Some have looked at the prayers of the Book of Acts. Some have examined the prayers in the Epistles. Some have even developed "formulas" for prayer.
When it comes to believing the Word of God, that which is addressed TO US must be applied BY US. All other scripture is for our learning and can be applied IN LIGHT OF that which is addressed to us. That which Jesus Christ taught prior to his sacrifice for sins and the giving of holy spirit is of necessity void of that which became ours on the day of Pentecost. As sons and daughters of God with holy spirit our prayers ought to be offered to our Heavenly Father in light of all that was accomplished by His son Jesus Christ. We have been given remission of sins. We have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. All of our needs are supplied according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We have been rescued from the power of darkness and we have been made citizens in God's Kingdom by the work of His beloved son. To ask God for His Kingdom to come, to ask Him to deliver us from evil, to seek forgiveness based on our forgiveness of others, and to pray for God to supply our daily bread is to ignore that which God has already freely given to us in Christ Jesus. So what do the Epistles written to us say about prayer?
The "formula" in the Epistles:
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Prayer is pouring out your soul. Supplication is making a request for others.
Prayer is to be with thanksgiving. Prayer is to let your requests be made known unto God.
The Epistles tell us to pray often:
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
Romans 12:12b
. . . continuing instant in prayer;
Colossians 4:2a
Continue in prayer, . . .
The Epistles tell us to pray spiritually:
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Sprit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15a
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: . . .
Ephesians 6:18a
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, . . .
The Epistles show how leaders pray for the believers to whom they are ministering:
Romans 1:9b
. . . that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1:4
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Colossians 1:9
. . . do not cease to pray for you, . . .
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, . . .
1 Thessalonians 1:2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
These leaders prayed "without ceasing, always", "gave thanks for the believers", and "made request for the believers."
The Epistles show how believers are to pray for those ministering to them:
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.
Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also an ambassador in bonds:
Ephesians 6:18-19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 Corinthians 1:11a
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, . . .
Romans 15:30
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
The context of these prayers are that the believers are praying in order to help men of God move the word of God: "that the word of the Lord may have free course . . . that I may make known the mystery of the gospel." We help each other move God's Word when we include requests for the movement of His Word and for the men and women speaking it in our prayers.
Following are some of the requests made in prayer in the Epistles:
Romans 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Romans 15:31
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
2 Corinthians 1:11
. . . that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Ephesians 1:17
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 . . .
Ephesians 1:18-19
. . . watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints . . . that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
Philippians 1:5
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now . . .
Colossians 4:3b-4
. . . that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:12b
. . . that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the sight of God and our Father;
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
. . . that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:1
. . . that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
The requests of the prayers in the Epistles are not requests for the Kingdom to come, forgiveness, daily bread, money, power, or worldly things. The requests made in prayer in the Epistles are for the Word of God regarding the revelation of the mystery to be made known. They are for the goodness and grace of God to be manifested in the believing action of those who walk as members of the one body of Christ "that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God!"
Prayer:
The Greek word for prayer is the word proseuche. Proseuche means to pour out the soul. Prayer is a pouring out of your soul to God. All of the other aspects of prayer are a part of this one. Whether you are making intercession, making a request or supplication, giving thanks for God's blessings upon your life, praising God, or just telling God about something, you are pouring out your soul to God.
I Corinthians 14:15a
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also;. .
For believers after the day of Pentecost there are two ways to pray: with the spirit and with the understanding. To pray with the spirit is to speak in tongues. To pray with the understanding is to pour out your soul to God. Both are important aspects of a believer's prayer life.
Jesus Christ taught his disciples about (proseuche) prayer:
Matthew 6:5-6
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Most of the time when you pour out your soul to God it is a very private and personal thing - just you and God. If you are praying to show others how religious you are - you have your reward.
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 6:46
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Luke 5:16
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Jesus Christ made it a habit to get up early, get away to a solitary place and pour out his soul to God. We too should find a time when we can get alone with God each day and pray.
Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Praying together with other believers is also very important.
Matthew 6:7-9a
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven . . .
When you pour out your soul to God you are not reciting a rote prayer or rosary. Your prayer then becomes a vain repetition that means nothing. It is interesting that in this context Jesus Christ gave them an example of a simple prayer request to God that has become a rote prayer used by most of the Christian churches today. He was telling them not to make vain repetitious prayers and we have taken his simple example and turned it into a vain repetitious prayer. Just keep it simple. You don't have to repeat some rote prayer to be heard by God.
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
It is important that we continue in prayer and not quit when our answer does not come immediately. This is not to say use vain repetitions. Just don't give up. If you know that what you are asking will glorify God - keep asking until you get your answer. George Mueller was a man of God who lived his life relying upon prayer. Following are some of his words:
I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right, I go on praying for it. The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it. George Mueller
Prayer is very important to God. Many have taught about what prayer is and how prayers ought to be offered to God. Some have looked at the prayers of men and women in the Old Testament. Some have reviewed the prayers of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. Some have taught that the example of prayer offered by Jesus Christ to his Judean followers ought to be "the prayer" offered by his followers today. Some have looked at the prayers of the Book of Acts. Some have examined the prayers in the Epistles. Some have even developed "formulas" for prayer.
When it comes to believing the Word of God, that which is addressed TO US must be applied BY US. All other scripture is for our learning and can be applied IN LIGHT OF that which is addressed to us. That which Jesus Christ taught prior to his sacrifice for sins and the giving of holy spirit is of necessity void of that which became ours on the day of Pentecost. As sons and daughters of God with holy spirit our prayers ought to be offered to our Heavenly Father in light of all that was accomplished by His son Jesus Christ. We have been given remission of sins. We have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. All of our needs are supplied according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We have been rescued from the power of darkness and we have been made citizens in God's Kingdom by the work of His beloved son. To ask God for His Kingdom to come, to ask Him to deliver us from evil, to seek forgiveness based on our forgiveness of others, and to pray for God to supply our daily bread is to ignore that which God has already freely given to us in Christ Jesus. So what do the Epistles written to us say about prayer?
The "formula" in the Epistles:
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Prayer is pouring out your soul. Supplication is making a request for others.
Prayer is to be with thanksgiving. Prayer is to let your requests be made known unto God.
The Epistles tell us to pray often:
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
Romans 12:12b
. . . continuing instant in prayer;
Colossians 4:2a
Continue in prayer, . . .
The Epistles tell us to pray spiritually:
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Sprit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15a
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: . . .
Ephesians 6:18a
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, . . .
The Epistles show how leaders pray for the believers to whom they are ministering:
Romans 1:9b
. . . that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1:4
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Colossians 1:9
. . . do not cease to pray for you, . . .
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, . . .
1 Thessalonians 1:2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
These leaders prayed "without ceasing, always", "gave thanks for the believers", and "made request for the believers."
The Epistles show how believers are to pray for those ministering to them:
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.
Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also an ambassador in bonds:
Ephesians 6:18-19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 Corinthians 1:11a
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, . . .
Romans 15:30
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
The context of these prayers are that the believers are praying in order to help men of God move the word of God: "that the word of the Lord may have free course . . . that I may make known the mystery of the gospel." We help each other move God's Word when we include requests for the movement of His Word and for the men and women speaking it in our prayers.
Following are some of the requests made in prayer in the Epistles:
Romans 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Romans 15:31
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
2 Corinthians 1:11
. . . that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Ephesians 1:17
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 . . .
Ephesians 1:18-19
. . . watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints . . . that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
Philippians 1:5
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now . . .
Colossians 4:3b-4
. . . that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:12b
. . . that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the sight of God and our Father;
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
. . . that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:1
. . . that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
The requests of the prayers in the Epistles are not requests for the Kingdom to come, forgiveness, daily bread, money, power, or worldly things. The requests made in prayer in the Epistles are for the Word of God regarding the revelation of the mystery to be made known. They are for the goodness and grace of God to be manifested in the believing action of those who walk as members of the one body of Christ "that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God!"
Prayer:
The Greek word for prayer is the word proseuche. Proseuche means to pour out the soul. Prayer is a pouring out of your soul to God. All of the other aspects of prayer are a part of this one. Whether you are making intercession, making a request or supplication, giving thanks for God's blessings upon your life, praising God, or just telling God about something, you are pouring out your soul to God.
I Corinthians 14:15a
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also;. .
For believers after the day of Pentecost there are two ways to pray: with the spirit and with the understanding. To pray with the spirit is to speak in tongues. To pray with the understanding is to pour out your soul to God. Both are important aspects of a believer's prayer life.
Jesus Christ taught his disciples about (proseuche) prayer:
Matthew 6:5-6
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Most of the time when you pour out your soul to God it is a very private and personal thing - just you and God. If you are praying to show others how religious you are - you have your reward.
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 6:46
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Luke 5:16
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Jesus Christ made it a habit to get up early, get away to a solitary place and pour out his soul to God. We too should find a time when we can get alone with God each day and pray.
Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Praying together with other believers is also very important.
Matthew 6:7-9a
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven . . .
When you pour out your soul to God you are not reciting a rote prayer or rosary. Your prayer then becomes a vain repetition that means nothing. It is interesting that in this context Jesus Christ gave them an example of a simple prayer request to God that has become a rote prayer used by most of the Christian churches today. He was telling them not to make vain repetitious prayers and we have taken his simple example and turned it into a vain repetitious prayer. Just keep it simple. You don't have to repeat some rote prayer to be heard by God.
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
It is important that we continue in prayer and not quit when our answer does not come immediately. This is not to say use vain repetitions. Just don't give up. If you know that what you are asking will glorify God - keep asking until you get your answer. George Mueller was a man of God who lived his life relying upon prayer. Following are some of his words:
I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right, I go on praying for it. The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it. George Mueller
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