How Should the Body of Christ Pray?
Paul gave us examples of how he prayed for the body of Christ and what he wanted the church to pray for him. We, as Christians should be praying for each other in the body of Christ. Who should we be praying for first?
We should be praying for our selves first that we are submitted to God's will and His purpose, and that we have examined ourselves and have a clear conscience, before entering into the throne room.
Next, we should pray for our pastor and his family, the elders, the teachers, and everyone who is serving in some capacity in the church. Then we should pray for the infants, children, teens and young adults, the parents, the single people, and the elderly in the church. We should pray for the missionaries the church supports, and for God's direction and will for the church in every area.
What are some of the things Paul prayed for his church and Christians everywhere?
Paul prayed for the churches that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, and that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened to know the hope of His calling...(Ephesians 1: 15-18).
Paul prayed that the church would be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, and that they would be grounded in love, to know the love of God...and to be filled with the fullness of God. (from Ephesians 3: 16-19).
Paul prayed that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1: 9-11).
Paul prayed: We give thanks to God for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for your love for all the saints. For this reason we do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1: 9-14).
Paul prayed May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3: 11-13).
Paul prayed that our God would count you worthy of His calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may 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).
Paul prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, and our God and Father ... would comfort your heart and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Paul asked for prayer from the body of Christ to be praying that the message of the Lord may be spread rapidly and be honored just as it was with you. And pray that we might be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ... May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5).
Paul urges that all requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone --- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2: 1-4).
Paul prayed that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ (Philemon v.6).
Paul asked for prayer. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon (Hebrews 13:19).
Paul prayed May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
After we have prayed for the church, we should pray for the neighborhood, and even our city, that the Holy Spirit would convict souls and grant them the grace of repentance and the faith to believe. We should pray God would open up opportunities for each of us to tell someone (others) about Jesus Christ and His saving work on the cross. Pray that God would prepare hearts before us to be receptive to the message and that the Holy Spirit would anoint our words so they would penetrate the hearts of those God has already prepared for the gospel message. Pray also for our family, friends, and co-workers to come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus.
We should be praying for Christians world wide who have prayed to receive Christ Jesus as Savior but are still very much in the world. Pray the Holy Spirit would do a work in their hearts to recognize the state they are walking in... and to repent and turn to God in humbleness to have their heart desires changed to desire after God and be hungry for His Word and His Spirit so they may grow in Christ.
We should pray that God would put a hunger to know the Word of God in the hearts of those who profess Christ Jesus and that the Holy Spirit would illuminate their understanding.
We live in an age where "discernment" of God's Word is critically important because there are so many false teachings out there from many who call themselves Christian churches. Even Christians themselves may unintentionally pass along error because they did not do as the Berean's, (Acts 17:11) and check out everything they were taught, or heard, to see if it lines up with the Word of God, or contradicts it.
Discernment comes from knowing the doctrines, the principals, and commandments of God's Word. If we are not regularly in study of the Bible, we will not be prepared for the enemy's attacks and could be led astray, or as Paul says, shipwrecked. Before attending, or especially joining, a church, check out their statement of beliefs.
We are to pray for our government and all those in authority and to be obedient to them unless it goes against God's will and our Christ Jesus. (see Romans 13:1)
We should be praying for the body of Christ world wide who are undergoing severe persecution, even to imprisonment, loss of families, and death for the sake of Christ Jesus.
We should be praying for His kingdom rule in our hearts and His will to be done in our lives.
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
~Annie~
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