The apostles and followers of Jesus Christ at the first century birth of the church were fiercely devoted to prayer. It is the book of Acts that reveals this to us. It was in praying that they recognized God’s sovereign control in all things. They prayed as they followed God’s direction. They were not following a “mission manual,” they were creating one. They prayed for strength and boldness in the midst of trial and persecution; asking for endurance, not escape. It was in prayer that they understood that God was commissioning them. While praying, their apprehensions and prejudices were diminished, showing them the changes that needed to be made personally and as a community. They never presumed on God’s will as every move of ministry was preceded with prayer. Prayer caused them to focus on every detail of their lives as being significant and connected.
Throughout his travels and exploits, the Apostle Paul wrote several letters to different regions, cities, churches, and individuals. Thirteen of them are recorded in the canon of Scripture. Prayer permeated the life of this man. All of the prayers in his epistles are listed below. They are worth exploration as well as assimilation.
- Romans 1:8-10…for the proclamation of the Gospel
- Romans 15:5-6…for endurance, encouragement, and unity
- Romans 15:13…for the overflow of hope
- Romans 15:33…to experience the peace of God
- Romans 16:25-27…to be established in the Gospel
- I Corinthians 1:4-7…to be enriched in Christ
- II Corinthians 1:3-5…for compassion and comfort
- II Corinthians 13:14…for grace, love, and fellowship
- Ephesians 1:3…for blessings from the realm of Heaven
- Ephesians 1:17-23…for wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment
- Ephesians 3:14-21…for inner strength from the Holy Spirit
- Philippians 1:9-11…to abound in knowledge, insight, and discernment
- Colossians 1:9-12…to be filled with the knowledge of His will
- I Thessalonians 3:11-13…so love for each other would overflow
- I Thessalonians 5:23-24…to set you apart in faithfulness
- II Thessalonians 1:11-12…to be counted worthy of His calling
- II Thessalonians 2:16-17…for courage and strength in deed and word
- II Thessalonians 3:5…to direct hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance
- II Thessalonians 3:16…for peace at all times from the Lord of peace
- I Timothy 1:17…unto the King Eternal
- I Timothy 6:15-16…to Him be honor and might forever
- Philemon 4-6…to be active in proclaiming “the Faith”