Eavesdropping on Paul’s Prayers

We’re treading on holy ground when we listen to someone who is in earnest prayer. Yet Paul invites us to do just that. If read superficially, Paul’s prayers may seem to be rather general and don’t apply to those for whom we pray. On the contrary, Paul requested exactly what produces spiritual maturity. Often we pray prayers that a hundred years from now it won’t matter whether they were answered or not, but answers to Paul’s prayers have eternal consequences.

I’ve found it to be a great help to memorize Paul’s prayers in the first chapters of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. As I’ve quoted them in prayer, I’ve been impressed that Paul’s most frequent request for these people for whom he faithfully prayed, was that they would grow in their knowledge of God. Paul had thought deeply about what brings spiritual growth.

For the Ephesians, he prayed, that “the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (1:17-19).

His prayer for the Colossians reveal the same theme: “…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (1:9-11).

Paul’s prayers encourage me to offer requests I otherwise would not have considered. For instance, I notice that he told the Corinthians he prayed that they “will not do anything wrong…our prayer is for your perfection” (2 Cor. 13:7, 9). This is a precise prayer to regularly pray.

Thank You, Father, for giving us Paul’s prayer to help us know how You want us to pray.

“I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled” (Jeremiah 1:12).