I pray this post finds you walking in step with the Spirit in whom you live (Galatians 5:25).
A mark of walking in the Spirit is being led by prayer as the act of communion with God. Prayer exhibits our relationship to God. Prayer exhibits our dependence on God. And prayer reveals our love and care for the people of God and the people of the world.
In this way, we follow in the intercession of Noah as he interceded for humanity according the steadfast, covenantal love of God in Genesis 8:20-21.
Our prayer for others is grounded in the perfect, intercessory atonement offered once for all by Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Paul’s exhortation is not that all people and these kings would merely “leave Christians alone” but that they would actually enter into a salvific relationship with God. This sort of prayer is part of the way Christians act as the salt and earth of the world, interceding on behalf of others. This week I recounted a person for whom I’ve been praying unto salvation. I was weary of praying for this person but considered that perhaps I was the only person interceding on earth for this person. It sparked a renewed vigor in prayer for this person.
But this sort of intercessory prayer is only one aspect of prayer that marks the life of the righteous. Listed here are three Pauline Prison Epistles (so noted because Paul wrote these three letters from prison).
As you read them, note the wholistic nature of prayer and how it connects to all of life. Prayer works hand in hand with the Spirit and the Word and it paves a pathway for the declaration of the gospel in words of power and the demonstration of the gospel in actions of righteousness. In addition, just from these few four selected passages, we see that prayer, rejoicing, thanksgiving, godliness, wisdom, and peace are inextricably interwoven together. Godly prayer is grounded in God’s covenant to the righteous in his atonement for the unrighteous.
Ephesians 6:16-20 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 4:2-6 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison– 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
On Sunday we talked about having a wholistic biblical worldview in all aspects of our lives. Take some time this week to assess your “prayer life.” How does it compare to God’s desire for you? What needs to change? What/who needs to be added to your prayer list? I don’t follow much on Facebook, but I do follow a lot of missionaries/church planters/missions groups to use as a reminder to prayer for their ministries, people groups, and countries. Pray for Venezuela.
Purchase one of the suggested books on prayer (in Sunday’s worship folder; though if you want the list, send me an email and I’ll list them) and engage with its contents. If you have a Kindle, go to the Kindle store and search for prayer. Often you can find classic books on prayer for free or $0.99. If you buy a new book from Amazon, usually you can add the Kindle version for $2.99. This is one of my favorite ways to buy books (I know, I know, Amazon is taking over the world; but hey, they’ve got good deals on books).
Pray for Elliot and Andrea who are working to establish a deeper prayer ministry at ROH.
Let’s become a truly “praying church,” who is marked by our deep, gospel-saturated lives of prayer.
Grace and peace,
Aaron
