We well know the importance of prayer, but at times we struggle with our own prayer life. Sometimes prayer can feel like throwing darts at a target while blindfolded. We throw our words heavenward not knowing if they’ve hit their target or not. Praying with someone who has a solid prayer life can be helpful, but isn’t always possible. But what if you could pray with the Apostle Paul when you weren’t sure what or how to pray? That would be very beneficial, but how can that be? We may not be able to sit down with Paul, but we do have his prayers recorded in the Bible and we can use them when we aren’t sure how to pray or what to say. There is nothing magical or extra powerful about the words because Paul said them, but they can help guide and direct our words. Try reading and praying these prayers of Paul when you struggle with your own prayers. Say the verses in your own words and apply them to your circumstances. Take your time to apply Paul’s prayers to your own life. Here are some samples:
1. Thanking God for others. Instead of just praying for needs of others, thank God for them and their impact in your life and the Kingdom. Philippians 1:3-6 and Romans 1:8-10 are good samples.
2. Salvation of others. Ask God to give you a burden for sharing your faith as well as opportunities to share. Paul prayed for these in Romans 10:1 and Philemon 5-7.
3. Others in need. Too often we pray what we feel is the solution to others’ problems, and that usually means removing all difficulties. However, God often uses those very things to help them grow in their faith. Pray the problem, not the solution. Ask God to work in them no matter how He chooses to use their trials. That’s how Paul prayed in Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Thessalonians 3:13.
4. Spiritual blessing for self and others. We need God’s joy, peace and guidance in life more than we need Him to solve all our problems so life is easy and perfect. Pray for these in other’s lives as well as your own as Paul did in Colossians 1:9-14; Romans 15:13 and 1 Corinthians 16:23.
5. Protection and courage for self and others. Ask God to help you and others better know and understand Jesus and His plan. Samples from Paul include Colossians 4:2-4, Romans 15:30-33 and Ephesians 6:19-20).
6. Thank God for comfort and help. Many of Paul’s prayers thanked God for His work in Paul’s life, such as 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Ephesians 1:3.
7. Thank God for grace and mercy. We can’t give enough thanks to God but we can always give more than we do. Follow Paul’s prayers in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and 1 Corinthians 1:4-9).
8. For holiness and guidance in life. Paul often prayed that he and others would live righteous lives of love and service. We can pray the same, as in Philippians 1:9-11; 2 Corinthians 13:7-9).
9. Victory over Satan. Ask God for strength and victory over Satan and evil men as Paul did in 2 Thessalonians 3:2-5.
As you read the Bible, be alert to prayers and make them your own. You can do an internet search for the prayers of Paul or just Bible prayers and find more. Remember, it’s not the words we say but the heart attitude behind the words. Even when we don’t know what to say, God knows our hearts. (September 12, 2022 Doylestown, PA)
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Take some time praying, asking God to help you better communicate with Him and thank Him for being willing listeners to all we say.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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