“Through Your Prayers”

Undoubtedly, one of the most important things we can do for fellow Christians is to pray for them. That’s true of pastors and elders – pray for those under your spiritual care. It’s true of parents – pray for your children. It’s true of grandparents – pray for your grandchildren. It’s true of every congregation – pray for your pastors and elders. It’s true of all of us – pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ!

Here’s what the apostle Paul wrote: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20).

The “this” Paul referred to was his house arrest in Rome at the time he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi. His circumstances could have been worse, but they were still bad – he could have been in one of the many Roman prisons. Paul’s circumstances caused  anxiety among the Christians in Philippi. They were worried about him and about the spread of the gospel. As a result, they prayed for Paul, for which he was profoundly grateful. We know, too, that he prayed for them. When we pray for one another, we go before God’s throne of grace in intercession – pleading for them and asking that God’s will be done and that He be glorified.

Let me give you some ideas of what we can pray for each other:

• That they would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).
• That they would glorify God in all things (1 Cor. 10:31).
• That they would be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2).
• That the fruit of the Spirit would be developed and displayed in their life (Gal. 5:22-23).
• That they would love God and others with all they have and all they are (Matt. 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:28).
• That they would give cheerfully and generously (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
• That they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10).
• That they would delight in the Word of God (Ps. 1:2).
• That they would fix their eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
• That they would trust God with everything in their life (Prov. 3:5-6).
• That they would have the boldness to preach the Word of God with boldness and confidence (Acts 4:29).

This is only a small list, but it’s a good place to start. You’d love it if someone were to pray these things on your behalf, so do it for others!