Prayer Focused (part 3)
Introduction. Previously, we noted the New Testament’s emphasis on Christians needing to pray to God frequently. To avoid falling into a rut, we need to keep our prayers focused and fresh. But how?
In parts 1 and 2, we suggested one possible approach is to consider the different categories or topics our prayers should address, try to be as specific as possible in each category, and even make a written list to remind us. We illustrated that with many of the ways we can praise the Supreme Creator of the universe by focusing on His power and glory revealed thru His natural creation (Rom. 1:20-21) as well as thru His inspired Word (Ex. 34:4-7). From this foundation, it should be natural to gratefully acknowledge the many things we can be thankful for and request for ourselves.
As a side comment, this is why an in-depth understanding of “Christian Evidences” is so important as foundational to our faith, of which prayer is just one of many components. Reasonable evidence for the existence of a Supreme Being, the reliability of the Bible as His revealed word, and the nature of Jesus as God’s Only Son & atoning sacrifice for our sins are all essential to having a robust prayer-based relationship with God.
In this article, we will complete our focus on what to pray for by considering the needs of others.
Intercede for Others. Prayer should not be just focused on God and ourselves as we see throughout the New Testament:
Intercede for Others - Who. We tend to be connected to many people in many different ways. If we pause and thoughtfully reflect, there normally are a large number of specific people we can include on our personal prayer list and approach God for in our prayers. And just like we can thoughtlessly take many of God’s physical and spiritual blessings for granted, we can also do the same thing for people.
What about our immediate and extended physical family by name? What about our immediate and extended spiritual family of brothers and sisters in Christ, starting with individual members in our local congregation and extending to faithful preachers/teachers in general (Eph. 6:19; Col. 4:2-3; 2 Thes. 3:1-2) as well as faithful Christians around the country and the world? What about our network of friends, co-workers, and neighbors as well as those in positions of authority (1 Tim. 2:2)?
And how about people that we would find it difficult to pray for? How about the person who cuts us off in traffic, the drunken homeless person we see by the road, abortionists, militant homosexuals, or sinners in general? How about those who dislike us or persecute us for our religious beliefs (Matt. 5:43-45)?
Intercede for Others - What. In part 2, we highlighted a number of specific things we can be thankful for and request for ourselves. We can use these same specifics to identify and list what others may need as well. Certainly people often have physical needs. As John says, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2. But there are often a wide variety of more important spiritual needs they may have as well. And of course, the more we know about individuals, the more specific we can be when we approach God on their behalf.
What about praying for the spiritual growth of specific fellow Christians (Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9), especially if being persecuted? How about forgiveness for the repentant (Acts 8:22)? What about Government officials, including the President (regardless of any party affiliation we might have 1 Tim. 2:1-2)? How about the lost (Rom. 10:1)?
Conclusion. For faithful Christians, having a frequent, focused, and fresh prayer life is a critical element in our relationship with God. But as we have seen, this takes effort on our part, along with introspection, gratitude, humility, and a genuine concern for others. But the promised blessings are enormous.
It is no surprise that Paul in his letter to the Ephesians closely coupled prayers with being “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might”. He encouraged them (and us) to:
In parts 1 and 2, we suggested one possible approach is to consider the different categories or topics our prayers should address, try to be as specific as possible in each category, and even make a written list to remind us. We illustrated that with many of the ways we can praise the Supreme Creator of the universe by focusing on His power and glory revealed thru His natural creation (Rom. 1:20-21) as well as thru His inspired Word (Ex. 34:4-7). From this foundation, it should be natural to gratefully acknowledge the many things we can be thankful for and request for ourselves.
As a side comment, this is why an in-depth understanding of “Christian Evidences” is so important as foundational to our faith, of which prayer is just one of many components. Reasonable evidence for the existence of a Supreme Being, the reliability of the Bible as His revealed word, and the nature of Jesus as God’s Only Son & atoning sacrifice for our sins are all essential to having a robust prayer-based relationship with God.
In this article, we will complete our focus on what to pray for by considering the needs of others.
Intercede for Others. Prayer should not be just focused on God and ourselves as we see throughout the New Testament:
- “Now I beg you, brethren, … that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me…” Rom. 15:30-31
- “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Eph, 6:18
- “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 1Tim. 2:1-2
- “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.” 1 John 5:16
Intercede for Others - Who. We tend to be connected to many people in many different ways. If we pause and thoughtfully reflect, there normally are a large number of specific people we can include on our personal prayer list and approach God for in our prayers. And just like we can thoughtlessly take many of God’s physical and spiritual blessings for granted, we can also do the same thing for people.
What about our immediate and extended physical family by name? What about our immediate and extended spiritual family of brothers and sisters in Christ, starting with individual members in our local congregation and extending to faithful preachers/teachers in general (Eph. 6:19; Col. 4:2-3; 2 Thes. 3:1-2) as well as faithful Christians around the country and the world? What about our network of friends, co-workers, and neighbors as well as those in positions of authority (1 Tim. 2:2)?
And how about people that we would find it difficult to pray for? How about the person who cuts us off in traffic, the drunken homeless person we see by the road, abortionists, militant homosexuals, or sinners in general? How about those who dislike us or persecute us for our religious beliefs (Matt. 5:43-45)?
Intercede for Others - What. In part 2, we highlighted a number of specific things we can be thankful for and request for ourselves. We can use these same specifics to identify and list what others may need as well. Certainly people often have physical needs. As John says, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2. But there are often a wide variety of more important spiritual needs they may have as well. And of course, the more we know about individuals, the more specific we can be when we approach God on their behalf.
What about praying for the spiritual growth of specific fellow Christians (Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9), especially if being persecuted? How about forgiveness for the repentant (Acts 8:22)? What about Government officials, including the President (regardless of any party affiliation we might have 1 Tim. 2:1-2)? How about the lost (Rom. 10:1)?
Conclusion. For faithful Christians, having a frequent, focused, and fresh prayer life is a critical element in our relationship with God. But as we have seen, this takes effort on our part, along with introspection, gratitude, humility, and a genuine concern for others. But the promised blessings are enormous.
It is no surprise that Paul in his letter to the Ephesians closely coupled prayers with being “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might”. He encouraged them (and us) to:
- “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil … that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand … And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:10-18)