POSTURES OF PRAYER A.

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1 Further reflections on Colossians 3 Series Messages Message #13 Prayer Since there was no message this week I included some additional things on prayer. Day One Prayer Postures POSTURES OF PRAYER A. Raised Hands Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 1 Tim 2:8 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah. Psalm 143:5-6 My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD; I have spread out my hands to You. Psalm 88:9 Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, who serve by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD. Psalm 134:1-2 So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Isaiah 1:15 Moses said to him, "As soon as I go out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease and there will be hail no longer, that you may know that the earth is the LORD'S. Exodus 9:29 B. Stand Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 1 Kings 8:22 C. Sitting When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 D. Kneel/Bow Now Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 2 Chronicles 6:13 When Paul had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:36 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Daniel 6:10 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. Acts 21:5

2 But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God; and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Ezra 9:5-6 Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, "When your fathers tested Me, they tried Me, though they had seen My work. Psalm 95:6-9 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Acts 9:40 And Jesus withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:41-42 E. Fall on your face And Jesus went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying, Genesis 17:3 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God." 1 Kings 18:39 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" He said, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant?" The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. Joshua 5:13-15 Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. Ezra 10:1 Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. 1 Chronicles 21:16 F. Lift up eyes So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me." John 11:41-42 To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Psalm 123:1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, John 17:1 G. Beat the chest "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' Luke 18:13

3 Day Two Passion of Prayer PASSION OF PRAYER A. Devotion to prayer rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, Romans 12:12 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2-4 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Colossians 4:12-13 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 pray without ceasing; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 B. Prayer and fasting 1. The types of fasting a. Extreme fast no food or water b. Regular fast no food c. Partial fast - refrain from delicacies 2. The duration of fasting a. Forty days b. Three days c. One day d. As a course of life in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- 2 Cor 11:27 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 2 Corinthians 6:5 3. The Purpose of fasting a. To demonstrate Humility and Repentance But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God; and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Ezra 9:5-6 They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire." When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, "I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father's house have sinned. Nehemiah 1:3-6 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them. The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. Nehemiah 9:1-2 Gird yourselves with sackcloth and lament, O priests; Wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth O ministers of my God, for the grain offering and the drink offering are withheld from the house of your God. Consecrate a

4 fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Joel 1:13-14 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day's walk; and he cried out and said, "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown." Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. "But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. "Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish." When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. Jonah 3:4-10 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. "Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land. Daniel 9:3-6 b. To prepare the heart to hear and obey God s direction 3And Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord; and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chron. 20:3 2And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23 c. For deliverance and protection Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 6"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 21Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. 23So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:21-23 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly. He went as far as the king's gate, for no one was to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. In each and every province where the command and decree of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing; and many lay on sackcloth and ashes. Esther 4:1-3 d. To demonstrate extreme sorrow 18Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Daniel 6:18 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. When I wept in my soul with fasting, It became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. Psalm 69:9-11

5 I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. Psalm 109:23-24 And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:15 e. To express devotion, worship and service 2And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. Luke 2:36-37 f. To gain God s ear "Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. Isaiah 58:4 g. For Healing Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.' "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 2 Samuel 12:21-23 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer kept returning to my bosom. Psalm 35:13 h. To feed the hungry Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:7 i. To develop self-control j. Not a source of pride or a pry bar to twist God s arm. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' Luke 18:12 4. The Manner of Fasting Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matt 6: The Fruit of Fasting Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your

6 gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:8-12 Day Three Prayer patterns Following are some models of prayer or patterns that might enhance your prayer times. Give them a try. The Disciple s Prayer Luke 11:1-13; Matt 6:5-15 RELATIONSHIP -- "Our Father in the heavenlies" Notice first the relationship Jesus emphasizes between God and us. He uses the father figure previously unheard of in Jewish thought and history. Notice second is the plural nature of the prayer our Father. Jesus intended prayer to be a corporate thing. The whole prayer deals with the family. We are talking to God as one of his children among many. We are not an island. We are connected to each other through spiritual heritage that cannot be ignored. Notice third, it is our Father in the heavens. This is a transcendent God who exist on a plane far above us. REQUESTS Related to God s kingdom A. HIS NAME "Make Your name holy" B. HIS KINGDOM "Let Your kingdom come (on earth)" C. HIS WILL "Let Your will be done on earth as it already is in heaven" (Matt 6 version) Related to God s kids A. OUR PHYSICAL NEEDS "give us today our needful bread" B. OUR RELATIONAL NEEDS "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" C. OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS "don't lead us into temptation" "but deliver us from the evil one RECOGNITION For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever AMEN! It is not about us. It is all about God. Our prayer should reflect that recognition. We ask God to act in full recognition that He is ruler of all. He is the point. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:33-36

7 The A.C.T.S. of Conversation with God ADORATION This time focuses on the character of God. Acknowledge and praise Him for who He is not necessary for what He has done (although sometimes they are closely linked). Thanksgiving comes later. Help in this area can come from the faith section of the notebook where God s attributes are listed. He is great! He is good! He is Holy! CONFESSION Take time to let the Holy Spirit bring to the surface areas that should be addressed. Help for this section can be found in the confession section of the notebook. THANKSGIVING This is the time to bring God thanks for all the things that come to mind regarding His blessing to mankind and us as individuals. Look for some clues in the thanksgiving section. SUPPLICATION Now we are ready to bring requests on our behalf and on behalf of those we love and even our enemies as Christ instructed us to pray for our enemies. Start with yourself and move outward as time allows. Personal needs Immediate Family needs Extended family needs Church family needs CMA work in America CMA work around the world (pick a country or use the prayer guide) Pray for other churches and local ministries in our county Pray for our nearby community (Kitsap County people and leaders) Pray for our county Pray for our state Pray for our County and leaders Note: Since many of us have an overwhelming list of people we could talk to God about, list them all out and then divide the list by the number of days you will take for intercession in the month. Ie. Everyday divide your list by 30. That makes the list more manageable and you pray for them at least once a month. You may also want to have and urgent list you pray daily an important list you pray weekly. Day Four More Patterns T.I.M.E.S. WITH GOD Another Biblical prayer pattern may be drawn from the Psalms which is actually a book of response to God expressing every kind of thought and emotion. Some of the Psalms are in and of themselves a particular model. Psalm of Lament Psalm of praise Imprecatory Psalm After an extended search for common elements in the Psalms that would give me a clue to David s heart after God I discovered the following. Talk (Oh God ) This is a time when we honestly tell God how we are feeling and what we are thinking. We tell God our concerns and what is bothering us. We are not asking him yet to do anything. We are simply sharing how we feel. Where are you God? My enemies surround me? My sin overwhelms me. My soul is downcast.

8 Invite (Hear and heed! May you ) Once we have expressed you we feel and talked about the circumstances that overwhelm us or concern us we are ready to invite God to hear and heed our pleas for help. The psalmists have requests both on their own behalf and those of the godly community. Meditate After our cry for help comes reflection on what God has promised and who He is. The kind of meditation or thinking concerning God takes on several aspects in the Psalms. 1. Reflect on the person and work of God. Remember and review what God has done in the past Remember past works of God in the Bible Remember past works of God in church history Remember past works of God in our own personal life Acknowledge what we see God doing in the present Anticipate what He promises to do in the future. Think about his attributes and how they relate to my situations Great is your faithfulness. Your lovingkindness endures forever. God is holy and righteous. Meditate on Biblical characterizations of God i.e. Bread of Life, Fortress, shepherd, Rock, Meditation and visualization should ALWAYS be directed by Scripture not our imagination. Scriptures should ignite our imagination. If the pictures are from the Bible (Water of life, Shepherd, rock, fortress, foundation of life, throne, train of His robe, smoke filled temple etc.) go for it. 2. Reflect on basic truths Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly Psalm 1 3. Reflect on our failure to honor him as we should I was a beast before you. I didn t understand what I was saying. Against you only have I sinned. Psalm 51 The wicked will not stand in the presence of the Almighty Embrace (You are ) By this time, a deep appreciation of who God is and my relationship with Him should overwhelm my spirit to the point I want to embrace Him. I express my deep appreciation of our relationship. Lord, you are I love you Lord Submit (I will ) One final element is of vital importance to a fully transforming conversation with God. After I have realized my problem, his power and my relationship with Him I have a better Idea of what I really want in life. The psalmist bursts out with declaration of their desired will. I will not be afraid. I will praise you as long as I live. I will declare your lovingkindness to the next generation. Take time to look for and collect the various passages that express these things and then you will be more able to express your own longings. This is just a tool. The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 B.E.E.P. me! Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

9 Bless me indeed. Enlarge my borders Empower me with your presence Protect me from pain. There are numerous prayers of faithful saints recorded all through the Bible that can serve as models. Some have counted no less than 650 prayers in the Scripture excluding the 150 Psalms which actually form a book of prayer and worship. Moses intercession (Ex 32:9-14, 30-34,33:12-23), Nehemiah s prayer (Neh 1:4-11; 4:1-6; 8:1-13), Daniel s prayer (Dan 9), Jeremiah s prayer (1, 5,42) and numerous prayers of the apostle Paul (Eph 1, 3; Col 1). As you run across prayers in your reading, record them in this section of your notebook and use them. Look for clues as to what we should be talking to God about. We want to discover how to pray according to His will. Praise Repent Ask Yield Prayer based on the P.R.A.Y. pattern Day Five Biblical Prayers PARTICULAR PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE C. Prayers of Paul 1. Prayer for Enlightenment Ephesians 1:15-23 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Notice what triggered (reason for prayer) Paul s prayer for the Ephesians. For this reason Having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus Having heard of the love for all the saints Notice the frequency of Paul s prayer life. do not cease giving thanks for you REQUESTS God (Father of glory) would increase their knowledge and understanding of Him. Enlightened eyes to better understand three important truths. The hope or certainty of life here and hereafter associate with His calling The glory of His inheritance in the saints The greatness of His power toward believers

10 The rest of the prayer expands on just how powerful that power really is. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and will bring all things in subjection to Him. This is a great prayer to personalize for yourself and others. 2. Prayer for empowerment Eph 3:14-20 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. REQUEST This is a sort of progressive prayer. Paul prays for one thing that leads to another that leads to another and so forth. Empowering of in the inner man by the Holy Spirit He first prays for a strengthening or empowering (dunamis) in the inner man. It is by God s initiative It is a result of the riches of His glory (not ours) It is through the work of His Holy Spirit It is a empowering of the inner man This empowering of the inner person enables a second stage of growth so that. Indwelling of Christ He is asking that Christ find a welcome place in their heart. This empowering enables the believer to be a suitable place for Christ to live. It enables the believer to continually submit to the authority of Christ. It enables trust (by faith) and full surrender to Christ s agenda. Understanding of the full dimensions of Christ s love Only as we allow Christ to direct our lives (indwell) will we come to know the full dimension of His incomprehensible love for us (so that you will comprehend and know His love). His indwelling roots and ground us in love. (having been rooted and grounded in love) His love will then be demonstrated to its full through the course of our life. Fullness of God s nature As we more fully understand His love for us we more effectively are able to demonstrate His love to others (so that) which is the core of God s nature. To be filled with His fullness is to love as He loves. Paul finished his prayer with a most powerful affirmation of faith and trust in God s ability to answer prayer. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 Notice that God will accomplish these extraordinary things through us. It is His empowerment (first request) that will result in things beyond all that we ask or think and bring God glory. It is through His Son Jesus Christ and His CHURCH that God will obtain eternal glory.

11 Prayer for a worthy walk Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:9-12 The reason for Paul s prayer for the Colossians is the same as for his prayer for the Ephesians. Since we heard of your faith in Christ and love for the saints. Again we have information regarding the extent of Paul s prayer life have not ceased to pray. REQUEST Filled with the knowledge of His will so you may walk worthy. What enables a worthy walk? A wise understanding of God s will. That is why the foundational request here is a heart permeated with knowledge of God s will accompanied by all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Paul prayed that they gain a clear understanding of God s will, His heart. Be filled is in the passive meaning that the filling is done by someone outside of the subject. Perhaps Paul refers to the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit. Such a thorough and intimate understanding of His will would enable a life lived worthy of the Lord. Not only do we learn what He wants but why and how it fits with His overall plan and character. Understanding His will is the prerequisite for doing His will. Paul prayed that they would know so that they could do His will. Paul expands a bit on the walk or life worthy of the Lord. Please Him in all respects Bear fruit in every good work Increase in the knowledge of God which leads to a greater understanding of His will and a worthy walk. The power for such a life comes from God s empowering. This empowerment or strengthening is the same as we saw in His prayer for the Ephesians. Again it is most likely a reference to the empowering of the Holy Spirit. He is thus the enlightener and empowerer of our life. This power from God enables steadfastness and long-suffering in the course of life. Notice that this prayer for enlightenment and power is for steadfastness and long-suffering, not for greatness, miracles, influence etc. Such a walk inspires glorious thanksgiving to God who called us to live such a life now and forever with all those He has qualified so share in the inheritance of the saints. 3. Prayer for like-mindedness Rom 15:5-6 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 God s Part? Gives preference and encouragement Request? Grant like mindedness between believers Objective? Glorify God

12 4. Prayer for the salvation of Israel Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4 Paul prayed that his countrymen would trust in Christ rather than try to earn their salvaition 5. Prayer for effective ministry 1 Thes 3:9-13 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Thanksgiving for their relationship Prayed they would be able to see them again and continue discipleship. He prayed that God would make a connection possible. He prayed that God would increase their love for one another and their community. He prayed that their hearts would be purified. 6. Prayer for Thorn in the flesh removal 2 Cor 12:7-10 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul struggled with a demonically caused infirmity. Paul s prayer was that God remove the infirmity. God s answer was, No! 7. Prayer for sanctification 1 Thes 5:17-25 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thess 5:16-25 Paul encouraged continual prayer and thanksgiving. His prayer was that God would bring about complete sanctification or holiness in every area of their life. He prayed that they would be strengthened to persevere in right living until Christ s coming. He reminded them that God is faithful to do what He promises. He encouraged them to pray for him as well. 8. Prayer for a worthy walk 2Thess 1:3,11,12 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 2 Thessalonians 1:3 Encouragement to give God thanks. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will 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

13 Paul prayed for a worthy walk. He prayed that God would fulfill every desire they had for goodness. He prayed that God would bring success to ministry through the power of God. The goal was that God s name would be glorified by means of the grace that comes through Christ. 9. Prayer for comfort 2 Thess 2:13, 16,17 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. 2 Thes 2:13-17 Paul started with a personal reminder to thank God for the Thessalonians. He then prayed that God Himself would comfort and strengthen their hearts. He called upon the God who loved them and comforts and gives hope by grace. 10. Prayer for strengthened hearts 2 Thess 3:1-5 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 He requested they pray that the world would spread. He requested prayer for protection. He prayed that God would strengthen their hearts in love and steadfastness. 11. Prayer for Mercy 2 Tim 1:16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 2 Timothy 1:16 Here was a personal prayer for a particular individual. He prays for mercy to be demonstrated to his family. 12. Prayer for perfection Heb 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb 13:20-21 He prayed that God would equip them to do His will. He prays that they would be servant the brought God pleasure. He called on the God of peace. He called on the God who raised Jesus form the dead as our great Shepherd. He realized that it is through Jesus that the prayer would be answered. He prayed for this work to the Glory of God.