Praying for Paul
It has come to my attention, as I have had opportunity to listen to a number of Christian ministers and missionaries from India, that almost all of them asked for prayer for their ministry and their people. Having also heard quite a number of American ministers, I hadn’t but a few ask for prayer for themselves. In studying God’s word, I found that the Apostle Paul often asked for prayer in his letters to the churches in Asia, the Epistles.
On most occasions, Paul did not so much “ask” for prayer, but instead “tells” them to pray.
Paul’s prayers for himself and those he coveted from others seemed to be mostly for God’s intervention from hinderances, interference and opposition from others to his ministry and for physical strength, provision and personal attitude.
Rom 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;
Rom 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;
Rom 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Paul’s prayers listed the specific areas that he needed God’s involvement with. He believed these prayers would fruitful coming from the people whom he enlisted, who would take up this burden. It’s striking than these were not pleas for money or financial support, as are mostly intimidated in our current generation. They were for favor with the people and for personal safety. Paul shows that he was determined to fulfill his mission, regardless of cost, but he would prefer less of a struggle. These are very reasonable requests and laudable.
2Co 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
In this Corinthian epistle, the apostle describes how difficult the work was for himself and his compatriots. They endured opposition so great they literally thought they might die during their mission. Their only hope at that point was their belief and faith that God is able to raise them up, if they are killed. They are considering this possibility in the future, also. This is the hallmark of Paul’s ministry, facing darkness with the light of the word of God. Light will always dispel darkness, but it must be brought where darkness is the norm.
He also gives thanks for the financial gift he received, to carry on his work, that was brought to realization and reality through their prayers.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 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,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Here Paul instructs and gives directions in the how to and why of praying. He reveals that all manner of prayer is acceptable and must be consistent. Praying not only for him, but their prayers for others are being effective as the Spirit leads them to pray. For himself, Paul asks for prayers that he might find ways to continue to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although he’s in prison currently, Paul proudly considers himself an ambassador for the Kingdom of God. What an inspiration he is to modern man.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
The Apostle Paul is not looking for or expecting acceptance from the people. His joy is to complete the work of Him who sends him, making Him known. He is ultimately looking forward to his reward of the imminent salvation through Jesus and the Spirit, whether he lives or dies.
Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Col 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 in bonds:
Col 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
In this letter, Paul reminds the church in Colosse that they need to keep their prayer coming often and in faith, believing their prayers are effective. Now he’s also asking for further opportunities to speak to new peoples, to reveal Jesus to those who have only been exposed pagan religions or superstitious beliefs about God. He wants to be able to provide a demonstration of the Kingdom of God in words and deeds. He believes the people’s prayers are indispensable in having these things come to pass.
1Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
The simplest of requests for whoever might take up the call to pray specifically for them.
2Th 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:
2Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Paul believes that prayer works. With prayer, people will believe and their lives will be changed and God will rightfully be glorified. It happened to the people he’s writing to, why not pray it happens to others, they have the faith God will do it.
Prayers for deliverance from the acts of evil people was and is a very real concern for preachers who go where they are not always welcomed. As doors open to ministry and bold preachers go through them, prayer often keeps them safe. Not that God leaves them alone, but prayers move angelic forces into position, in advance, and makes the ministry less stressful.
Phm 1:22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
As people pray for God’s ministers, many times it is ultimately for the good and edification of those praying. This scripture reveals that Paul believed that the church’s prayers affected whether God would send him to their area. His ministry travels seemed to be directed by other peoples prayers to God for him much of the time. God directs His misters and they go where they’re sent.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Heb 13:19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Paul reveals to his correspondents another concern he has to come to terms with, as a minister. The ministers believe they has pure motives and intentions. They are not out for their personal gain, but are rather, fulfilling a heavenly calling. It has it’s ups and downs, it’s high points and low points. He intimates that he’d like this chapter of his journey to be accomplished sooner than later. How humbly and humanly does this great apostle relate his ministry experience with others.
The Power of Prayer
In this one chapter we can see the affects, effectiveness and the results of prayer in Paul’s ministry.
Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Prayer affects Paul’s Ministry from one chapter: Acts 16
Act 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Act 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Families of Lydia and the Macedonian jailer were subsequently saved and the church was established in that area from the affects of prayer.
There was much public, business and governmental disruption from people opposing Paul’s ministry. There was much attention given Paul ministry, both good or bad from the “halo effect”.
The halo effect is the tendency for positive impressions of a person, company, brand or product in one area to positively influence one’s opinion or feelings in other areas.
Halo effect is “the name given to the phenomenon whereby evaluators tend to be influenced by their previous judgments of performance or personality.”The halo effect which is a cognitive bias can possibly prevent someone from accepting a person, a product or a brand based on the idea of an unfounded belief on what is good or bad.
In this locality, the knowledge of God’s kingdom was seen in a positive light for what it was: Available, Powerful, an influence for Good, a Refuge for the humble, Opposing the System, and Effective at the outset. All of these traits would cause people to consider and converse about the merits of this “new religion”.
In Macedonia, prayer created:
- People coming together in unity for the advancement of the Kingdom of God
- Acknowledgment of the presence of God’s representatives
- Demons being cast out
- Disruption of pagan focused businesses
- Public discourse
- Unrighteous imprisonment of God’s servants
- Miraculous deliverance by signs and wonders
- Repentance and Salvation of lost souls
It’s interesting that these things that happened in Acts Chapter 16, were the same requests that Paul was asking in the Epistles to the churches to pray for. Whenever they were prayed, they certainly came to pass during Paul’s evangelistic ministry.
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