How do you prayer for those with opportunities to share the gospel? Learning how to pray from the Apostles prayers (Ephesians 6:19)

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 Ephesians 6:19:

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Prayer Focus: Petition that God would give words and boldness to those in opportunities to share the gospel

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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 Ephesians 3:20-21:

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Praise that there is no limit to what God can do by His Spirit within us

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 3:14-17) w/excerpts from Hendriksen and O'Brien's commentaries

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 Ephesians 3:14-17:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love

Prayer Attitude: We should be reverent when we pray (Eph 3:14).
Prayer Focus:  Petition that God's Spirit would exert a greater and greater controlling influence on our will.

Hendriksen writes in his New Testament Commentary, "This “inner man” is not that which is rational in man as contrasted with man’s lower appetites. Paul’s terminology is not that of Plato or of the Stoics. On the contrary, the “inner man” is the opposite of the “outer” (or: outward) man. Cf. II Cor. 4:16. The former is hidden from the public gaze. The latter is open to the public. It is in the hearts of believers that the principle of a new life has been implanted by the Holy Spirit. See on 3:17. What the writer is praying for is therefore this, that within these hearts such a controlling influence may be exerted that they may be strengthened more and more with Spirit-imparted power."

O'Brien writes in The Pillar New Testament Commentary, "It is the focal point at the centre of a persons life where the Spirit does his strengthening and renewing work. Indeed, the inner self stands in need of empowering given our struggle against sin (Rom. 7:22) and the need for daily renewal (2Cor. 4:6). When the outer person of the believer is wasting away, the inner person is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16)."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 1:15-23)

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 Ephesians 1:15-23:

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 

Prayer Focus:  Praise for the faith and acts of love we see in other Christians.
Prayer Focus:  Petition that we would receive a continually growing deeper understanding of the grandeur of the gospel and what it means for our lives.

Hendriksen writes in the New Testament Commentary, "Paul, then, asks that the addressed may receive a continually growing supply of wisdom and clear knowledge. Combine the two, and note that he is asking that the Ephesians be given deeper penetration into the meaning of the gospel and a clearer insight into the will of God for their lives, enabling them at all times to use the best means for the attainment of the highest goal, namely, the glory of God Triune."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 1:3) 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 Ephesians 1:3:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

Prayer Focus: Praise that God has blessed us through Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Calvin writes in his commentary on Ephesians, "The word bless is here used in more than one sense, as referring to God, and as referring to men. I find in Scripture four different significations of this word. 1. We are said to bless God when we offer praise to him for his goodness. 2. God is said to bless us, when he crowns our undertakings with success, and, in the exercise of his goodness, bestows upon us happiness and prosperity; and the reason is, that our enjoyments depend entirely upon his pleasure. Our attention is here called to the singular efficacy which dwells in the very word of God, and which Paul expresses in beautiful language. 3. Men bless each other by prayer. 4. The priest’s blessing is not simply a prayer, but is likewise a testimony and pledge of the Divine blessing; for the priests received a commission to bless in the name of the Lord. Paul therefore blesses God, because he hath blessed us, that is, hath enriched us with all blessing and grace."

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

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (1 Corinthians 1:4-7)

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 1 Corinthians 1:4-7:

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Prayer Focus: Praise that God has made Christians rich though the grace of God in Christ

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Romans 16:25-27)

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 Romans 16:25-27:

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Prayer Focus: Petition that God would strengthen Christians through the gospel (the proclamation about Christ).

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Romans 15:33)

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 Romans 15:33:

May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Prayer Focus: God would draw so close to us so that we would know peace intimately

Hendriksen writes in the New Testament Commentary, "When the apostle now expresses the prayer-wish that this God of peace be with those whom he addresses, he means that his inner desire—a desire to be realized in all who love the Lord—is that this God of peace may come so close to them that they may experience his peace in their lives, may meditate on it, possess it, rejoice in it."