Alvin Vandergriend- For me, the apostle Paul is a truly great hero of prayer, second only to Jesus Christ. In studying the pattern of his prayer life, I was amazed to find no less that 12 distinct passages in Paul's letters in which he uses "time" words such as constantly, always, not stopped, every time, and night and day to describe his prayers for others. What a great example of his own injunction to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). (Google image, The Apostle Paul in jail)
One reason Paul prayed so constantly was to express his gratitude to God for other believers. Again and again Paul begins his letters with words like "I always thank God for you" and "How can we thank God enough for you? Notice also that Paul thanked God for these people rather than just thanking them.
I like to be thanked, but it is even nicer to have someone thank God for me. That way God gets the credit He deserves, and I receive the affirmation and joy that go with serving God.
Paul also prayed constantly because he cared so deeply for the people he prayed for. We sense Paul's caring in statements like "I have you in my heart" and "I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:7-8). Deep love tends to elicit constant heartfelt prayers.
A young man once complained to me that my congregational prayers in worship services were boring. I asked him if he was bored when I prayed for his grandmother. "No," he said, "then I really tuned in." He caught my point and admitted that he was bored because he didn't really care about the other persons being prayed for. Love gives birth to prayer.
Paul also knew that his prayers would make a huge difference in the lives of his "sons and daughters" in the faith. He prayed so that they would increase and overflow with love for each other (1 Thessalonians 3:12), be enlightened in their hearts, be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 1:18; 3:19), abound in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9), and live lives worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10). God heard and answered. Paul's prayers accomplished their purpose.
Finally, Paul knew that he needed the prayer support of others. "Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me," he writes in Romans 15:30. "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me," he asks in Ephesians 6:19. "And I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance," he assures his friends in Philippians 1:19.
Paul the great pray-er is also the one who said, "I urge you to imitate me," and, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1) For this we need much grace.
(pp. 84, 85 in Love to Pray- 40 Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend)
In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
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Great article. Praying with and for you. God is so faithful
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