Prayer in the Family of God

Prayer in the Family of God

*Many Christians feel a of confidence in their pattern of prayer.

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray… (Luke 11:1)

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the LORD Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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: 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, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power… (Ephesians 1:15-19)

1. Pray for the Body

-Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus.

-Avoid imbalanced prayer that excludes some members of the body.

A. Pray for the Church as a Corporate Entity

-Because God often works with groups of people, it is biblical to pray for the church as a whole.

-Most epistles are written to churches as a whole.

-Christ addressed whole churches in Revelation 2-3.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Rev. 2:5)

*When we are thinking of the church as a unit, we will learn to think in ways that promote .

B. Pray for the Ones Typically Neglected

-Remember individuals by name:

• Those we’re not close to – after I heard of your faith
• Those who are spiritually – your faith in the LORD Jesus, and love unto all the saints 

2. Pray Without Ceasing

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

A. Pray

-A Christian’s life should be characterized by prayer.

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. (Luke 22:39)

B. Never Stop Praying

-Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ even when you are tempted to abandon prayer.

-Never give up on prayer!

C. Be to Go to Prayer

-We should instinctively and immediately respond to the events in our lives with gratitude (1 Thes. 5:18) and petition (Eph. 6:18). 

3. Pray with Thanksgiving

I…Cease not to give thanks for you

–We should intentionally give God thanks for the people God has placed in our church.

A. Promotes humility and service for others

-When you think of what God has done in the lives of people in your church and thank Him for that work, you will focus more on others than yourself and become more eager to participate in God’s work by serving others in the body.

B. Reminds us that them here for a reason

-This will help us to erase attitudes that foster conflict and division.

-If you feel anger or dissatisfaction because certain people are a part of your church, then your problem is really with God rather than those people.

C. Helps us rejoice in God’s handiwork rather than focus on problems

-Anywhere there are true believers, God is at work and should be praised for His graciousness.

4. Pray About Issues

-In almost all of his prayers, Paul concerned himself with spiritual issues, rather than earthly/physical ones.

-Example: God may not take away the soreness in Aunt Edna’s big toe, but He certainly wants to give her the grace to glorify Him and be joyfully content even while she is suffering.

Romans 1:8-12

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For 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; 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

*Pray that God will enable you to build redemptive and relationships with those He’s placed around you.

Ephesians 1:16-19

Cease not 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 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The 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, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

*Pray that each believer in your church will be and receptive to God’s Word.

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, 15Of 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 by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

*Pray that your brothers and sisters in Christ would be able to endure any trial with and joy.

Philippians 1:9-11

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

*Pray that a love that looks like Jesus’ love by leaps and bounds in your church.

Colossians 1:9-12

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; 10That ye might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

*Pray that everyone in your church family would study God’s Word and respond to it with obedience.

*Pray that God would strengthen those who are considering .

-One of the greatest needs in our church is for people who will pray biblically, unceasingly, and purposefully.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b)

*Taken from Life in the Father’s House by Wayne Mack & David Swavely