Five Powerful Prayers of Paul

I find at least four times where Paul proclaims his prayers for others and I would like to read these four verses (Rom 1:9, Eph 1:16, 2 Tim. 1:3, Phil 4)

Romans 1:9 KJV 1900

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Ephesians 1:16 KJV 1900

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

2 Timothy 1:3 KJV 1900

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Philemon 1:4 “4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,”

Praying for others was extremely important to the Apostle that he professed to pray for at least four different people or churches constantly.

I don’t think Paul was prone to telling falsehoods, I think he meant what he said that when he prayed he prayed for these folks.

I also see another inference we can make - Paul believed that these prayers were necessary and effective

Four ways Paul prayed for his people:

1. Paul thanked God for each one of his people

Rom 1:8 “8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

1 Cor 1:4 “4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;”

Eph 1:16 “16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;”

Phil 1:3 “3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,”

1 Thess 1:2 “2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;”

2 Thess 1:3 “3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”

2. Paul prayed for their wisdom and knowledge

Eph 1:17 “17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”

Col 1:9 “9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

3. Paul prayed they would be full of hope

Eph 1:18 “18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”

Rom. 15:13 “13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

4. Paul prayed they would live in peace and unity

Romans 15:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Paul prayed they would Be Holy

1 Thess 5:23-24 “23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”