Praying the Scriptures
The way we pray and what we pray about changes as we mature in Christ. Spiritual babies have similar characteristic as natural babies. Their primary concern is upon themselves. They focus on food, security and comfort. As the child grows we hope they will expand their awareness of other people’s needs and we pray that their view of “the world” broadens. In other words, that they see that life is not just about them.
It is often the case that the vast majority of prayers prayed have to do with health issues, financial problems and family or relational concerns. It’s not that these issues are not important. They are. They most certainly are! But they are all about “me,” if you get what I mean. Most of these types of prayersdon’t resemble the prayers we see in the Bible.
Today I have chosen two prayers from the Book of Ephesians. They are prayers that the Apostle Paul prayed. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to mentor us from what those prayers say. Here they are:
Ephesians 1:15-19 (NKJV)
15Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power . . .
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV)
14For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Reflection and Prayer Time – Take a few minutes to pull prayer points from these passages. Then, with your prayer partner(s) pray the points that you have compiled. May you experience breakthrough moments with God as you pray His will.
Limiting Factors to Prayer – We often do not understand why our prayers seem to be limited. Listed below are a number of hindrances from the Word of God. Confession, repentance and spiritual warfare may be necessary.
· We pray in unbelief (James 1:6-7; Mark 11:24)
· We pray according to our own will (1 John 5:14)
· We seek the gift rather than the Giver (James 2:23)
· We pray prayers to feed our own lusts and desires (James 4:3)
· We live in disobedience (Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18)
· We give up in prayer too easily (Luke 18:1-8)
· We are judgmental toward others (Luke 6:37)
· We are unwilling or not able to forgive (Mark 11:26)
· We have unresolved quarrels (Matthew 5:23-24)
· We turn a deaf ear to those in need. (Proverbs 21:13)
· We lack honor in our family (1 Peter 3:7)
· We have not learned to abide in Christ (John 15:7)
Conclude with Prayers of Thanks and Praise
My prayer for you!
Father God, I ask that your Holy Spirit would impact each person reading these words with all that the Apostle Paul prayed in the two prayers above. Help everyone in Crosstown Church and beyond to earnestly seek You. Show them areas in their lives which need to be turned over to you. As they pray, realign their lives to Your purpose and prepare them for an incredible new stage o lie in the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name! Amen.
–Pastor John