Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (2 Corinthians 13:14)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is 2 Corinthians 13:14:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

Prayer Focus: Petition that we would know Christ's grace, God's love, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (2 Corinthians 13:7-9)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is 2 Corinthians 13:7-9:

Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

Prayer Focus: Petition that we would live a life pleasing to God and that God would root out any evil practices in our lives.

Hendriksen writes in the New Testament Commentary, "The apostle calls on God to come to the aid of the Corinthians. He is asking for divine help to root out both evil practices in their conduct and inappropriate words directed against Paul. He prays that God may bring about a change for the good in the hearts and lives of the Corinthians."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) w/thoughts from Calvin

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Prayer Focus: Praise that God is in control of all circumstances touches our lives
Prayer Focus: Petition to the exalted Christ for grace for our afflications/obstacles.
Prayer Attitude: Praise Christ is the afflication/obstacle is removed and praise Christ if it isn't knowing God's power is made perfect in weakness.

Hodge writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: “My grace.” Either “my love” or implying “the aid of the Holy Spirit,” which is so often meant by the word grace. The context favors the common meaning of the term. “My love is enough for you.” These are Christ’s words. He says to those who seek deliverance from pain and sorrow, “It is enough that I love you.” This secures and implies all other good. His favor is life; his loving-kindness is better than life."

Calvin writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: "By this we are admonished not to give way to despondency, as if our prayers had been lost labor, when God does not gratify or comply with our wishes, but that we must be satisfied with his grace, that is, in respect of our not being forsaken by him. For the reason, why he sometimes mercifully refuses to his own people, what, in his wrath, he grants to the wicked, is this — that he foresees better what is expedient for us, than our understanding is able to apprehend."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Prayer Focus: Praise that God comforts us in all our afflictions
Prayer Focus: Praise that we can comfort others with what we have received from God