PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE APRIL 17, 2024
#5 THE PRAYERS OF PAUL – PART 2


William Law has this very pertinent word in his “Devout Life”: “When you begin your petitions use such various expressions of the attributes of God as may make you most sensible of the greatness and power of the Divine nature?” And then William Law gives various examples, which I am bound to say would not be helpful to me, as they would imprison my spirit in a coat of mail. But I want to emphasize and commend the principle of it, which is, that our fellowship should begin with the primary elements of adoration and praise. Rev. J. H. Jowett


Central Truth: The New Testament model of prayer is not demon-centered or sin-focused, rather it is to be God-centered. Using this biblical model provokes us to a greater release of the ministry of the Holy Spirit on the whole church in our city and for the impartation of positive kingdom virtues such as love, holiness, unity, hope, and peace.


SCRIPTURE

5/ Prayer for unity in the church across a city or region

Now may the God of patience and comfort GRANT YOU TO BE LIKE-MINDED toward one another,
according to Christ Jesus, THAT YOU MAY WITH ONE MIND AND ONE MOUTH glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus. Romans 15:5-7


6/ Prayer to be filled with supernatural joy, peace, and hope

Now may the God of hope FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, THAT YOU MAY
ABOUND IN HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13


7/ Prayer for Israel to be saved through Jesus

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for ISRAEL is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1


8/ Prayer for the release of apostolic ministry and to abound in love and holiness

We rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and ABOUND IN LOVE to one another and to all…so that He may ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13



9/ Prayer for the release of the Holy Spirit's power unto mature holiness

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24



Christian Life Lessons

Ways to Pray for the Church using the Apostolic Prayers

1/ Pray for the presence of God to be manifested in church services and for people to be saved, set free, healed, and refreshed by the Holy Spirit during the worship, preaching, and ministry times.


2/ Pray that love will abound and that God’s people will approve the things that God calls excellent.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10


3/ Pray that the anointing of conviction will rest on the preaching of the Word so that both believers and unbelievers are impacted greatly. John 16:8


4/ Pray for a spirit (attitude) of holiness and love to prevail in the congregation.


5/ Pray for a great increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church and the manifestation of these gifts through words of knowledge, words of wisdom, discerning of spirits, healing, miracles, faith, messages in tongues, and interpretations of tongues.


6/ Pray for a prophetic spirit to rest on preachers, worship teams, and ministry leaders according to Acts 2:17


7/ Pray that the Holy Spirit will open more doors to minister to unbelievers and that He will prepare them to receive the gospel. Colossians 4:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:1


PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE
#6 THE PRAYERS OF PAUL – PART 3


Central Truth: The New Testament model of prayer is not demon-centered or sin-focused, rather it is to be God-centered. Using this biblical model provokes us to a greater release of the ministry of the Holy Spirit on the whole church in our city and for the impartation of positive kingdom virtues such as love, holiness, unity, hope, and peace.


SCRIPTURE

10/ Prayer to be equipped and prepared to receive the fullness of God’s destiny for the church

Therefore we also pray always for you THAT OUR GOD WOULD COUNT YOU WORTHY OF THIS CALLING, AND FULFILL 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 you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12


11/ Prayer for the Word to increase by the release of God's power to win unbelievers to Jesus.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. NOW MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS INTO THE LOVE OF GOD AND INTO THE PATIENCE OF CHRIST. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Note: Scriptures describing God causing His Word to increase resulting in many being born again. God glorifies His Word by manifesting His power to confirm it with signs and wonders.

a/ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as
many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48

b/ So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:20

c/ The Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly. Acts 6:7

d/ But the Word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24

e/ Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the Teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:12


12/ Prayer that God would open a door of evangelism through releasing His power on the Word

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, THAT GOD WOULD OPEN TO US A DOOR FOR THE WORD, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2-4

Note: Scriptures describing God causing a door to open for His Word by manifesting His power to confirm it with signs and wonders. In other words, that a door of power and opportunity would increase resulting in people being born again.

a/ …that God…had OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27

b/ For a GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR HAS OPENED TO ME. 1 Corinthians 16:9

c/ when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a DOOR WAS OPENED TO ME BY THE LORD.
2 Corinthians 2:12

d/ I have set before you AN OPEN DOOR, and no one can shut it. Revelation 3:8

Note: Scriptures declaring how God opens hearts (by revelation) in order to grant repentance to the spiritually deceived. We pray for revival, that God supernaturally opens many hearts.

a/IF GOD PERHAPS WILL GRANT THEM REPENTANCE, so that they may know the truth, and…come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil. 2Timothy 2:24-26

b/ Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us…THE LORD OPENED HER HEART TO HEED the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14

c/ He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45


13/ Prayer to be enriched with the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit leading unto righteousness

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, THAT YOU WERE ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so THAT YOU COME SHORT IN NO GIFT, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, THAT YOU MAY BE BLAMELESS in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Note: Scriptures that exhort us to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. One primary way to earnestly seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to earnestly pray for their release. This is a prayer for revival.

a/ But EARNESTLY DESIRE the best gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31

b/DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1

c/DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39



Christian Life Lessons

When we pray consistently and faithfully in this manner for the church in our city, over time we will see both the church and the city transformed before our eyes!

1/ Pray that the Holy Spirit will motivate more believers to share the gospel and give more believers a burden for evangelism. Matthew 9:37-38


2/ Pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, His Will and His Ways to be given to leaders of churches and their individual members. Ephesians 1:17

3/ Pray that believers will be strengthened with might by the Holy Spirit in their inner man. Ephesians 3:16


4/ Pray for unity among all the believers and all the families in the church. John 17:21-23


5/ Pray for an increase of the spirit (attitude) of prayer to be released in the church.
Zechariah 12:10


6/ Pray for every family member to be saved and healed and for every family to prosper with secure, steady jobs. John 3:2