Pray as the early church did….

What Should We Pray For?

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By John PiperJanuary 1, 1995 

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One way to answer this question is to look at what the early church prayed for. Here is a list gathered from the New Testament. It can guide you in how you pray. I suggest that periodically you pray through this list just to test whether your prayers are leaving out anything the New Testament included. We don’t have to pray all of these each time we pray. But over time it would be good if our prayers had the breadth and depth of the New Testament prayers.

They called on God to exalt his name in the world.

Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).

They called on God to extend his kingdom in the world.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 ).

They called on God that the gospel would run and triumph.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

They called on God for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19).

They called on God to vindicate his people in their cause.

And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? (Luke 18:7).

They called on God to save unbelievers.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved (Romans 10:1).

They called on God to direct the use of the sword.

“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying through all prayer and supplication on every occasion . . .” (Ephesians 6:17-18)

They called on God for boldness in proclamation.

Pray at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-19)

And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness (Acts 4:29).

They called on God for signs and wonders.

And now Lord . . . grant your servants to speak thy word with boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:30).

Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit (James 5:17 -18).

They called on God for the healing of wounded comrades.

Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up (James 5:14-15).

They called on God for the healing of unbelievers.

It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him (Acts 28:8).

They called on God for the casting out of demons.

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29)

They called on God for miraculous deliverances.

So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church . . . When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:5,12).

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake (Acts 16:25-26).

They called on God for the raising of the dead.

But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up (Acts 9:40).

They called on God to supply his troops with necessities.

Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).

They called on God for strategic wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:5).

They called on God to establish leadership in the outposts.

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed (Acts 14:23).

They called on God to send out reinforcements.

Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:38).

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:2-3).

They called on God for the success of other missionaries.

I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, (Romans 15:30-31).

They called on God for unity and harmony in the ranks.

I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21).

They called on God for the encouragement of togetherness.

[We are] praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

They called on God for a mind of discernment.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more in with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

They called on God for a knowledge of his will.

And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).

They called on God to know him better.

[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 ; cf. Ephesians 1:17 ).

They called on God for power to comprehend the love of Christ.

I bow my knees before the Father . . . that you may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14,18).

They called on God for a deeper sense of assured hope.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:16,18).

They called on God for strength and endurance.

[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy (Colossians 1:11 ; cf. Ephesians 3:16).

They called on God for deeper sense of his power within them.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know . . . what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1:16, 19).

They called on God that their faith not be destroyed.

I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22:32).

Watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).

They called on God for greater faith.

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ; cf.Ephesians 3:17).

They called on God that they might not fall into temptation.

Lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6:13).

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

They called on God that he would complete their resolves.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

They called on God that they would do good works.

[We have not ceased to pray for you that you] lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10).

They called on God or forgiveness for their sins.

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12).

They called on God for protection from the evil one.

Deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).

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Prayer Partner for 2009

Consider gathering with a partner partner and undertake one on one Bible reading.  What might happen?

Check out the full post HERE

If you meet with a Christian for Bible reading and prayer for the next 12 months, what will happen? You don’t know exactly, but you can have certain hopes and prayers. Both of you will grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Perhaps you will encourage others to start meeting one-to-one. Perhaps you will both continue to meet with different Christians for the next 40 years. Just imagine what could happen if it was commonplace for Christians to meet for one-to-one Bible reading and prayer! What would happen if our society was peppered with thousands of such meetings? What growth in godliness might we see?

Prayer and time management

Nelson Searcy author of the Fusion book we studied this summer wrote about this on his blog:

One of my tele-coaching participants/pastors shared these two time management principles with me in a recent email:

1.  Always start the day with God. Just like tithing stretches money, time with God has an amazing way of stretching time!

2.  The next day principle. Whenever possible, get through your “to do” list, then do something you’d planned on doing the next day. This snowballs over time and greatly increases your capacity to get things done.

(Submitted by Glenn Edward Layne from First Baptist Church in Temple City, CA)

Two great principles! Thanks, Glenn!

So let me ask you:

Are you starting your day with God?

Are you starting your tomorrow before you finish today?

Nelson

Comment on prayer

This comment was too good to leave it the comment section.

Good article. I also use the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) prayer model and really like the idea of adding a Psalm at the beginning (PACTS) to focus my mind and prepare my heart attitude. As for the short prayers, I tend to be a worrier, so whenever I am tempted to worry, I’m learning to train myself to use my worry time as prayer time for that particular need. It brings me peace, makes me realize how useless my worry is and how much more valuable prayer is, both for others and for me, and often leads to prayer in other areas “while I’m at it”. In fact, I often fall asleep by praying as it is so relaxing in many ways. – Nancy

Thanks Nancy for sharing these prayer tips.  That was one thing I also picked up from the Seizmic Shifts book by Kevin Harney that I could spent the last few minutes of consciousness before sleep overtakes me in prayer rather than thinking about what I didn’t get done that day and all that I had to get to tomorrow.  It is a time of surrender in prayer and thanksgiving.  I do this also immediately upon waking….it helps me focus on thanksgiving rather than right away strapping the burden of all that needs to be done that way.  – Melissa

New Online Resource

LifeChurch.tv has launched a new bible site.  It is called YouVersion and is still in beta form. I think that means that it is launched and as people use it they will be adding to it and working out the bugs.  It is designed to be a community site too so that you can study a section of Scripture in any version you like and highlight a verse and see who in the community has something to say on that…..most of these topics are tied to a video message by LifeChurch. Good thinking huh?  I like that you can program you favorite version to pop up all the time and there is a little screen to the right of the bible reader that allows you to journal your thoughts (this is private) as you read the Scripture.  Thousands of people are already using it and they have read millions of Scripture verse already.

Rebooting Your Prayer Life……

(from a blog on prayer)

A while back I confessing to Steve McCoy that I often feel like I’m a better Deist than Christian. He knew exactly what I meant. I was having prayer issues.
A Deist doesn’t believe God is actively involved in the world, but that he created the cosmos to run on its own and walked away. In other words, God doesn’t get involved in our world or our lives. He is essentially absent. In such a world prayer would be meaningless because God doesn’t poke his head in, much less intervene on our behalf. Of course in contrast the Christian believes that the Lord is a God of providence; that he actively governs all the affairs of the world and is intimately involved in even the details of our lives. The growing grass, the dying birds, one man’s prosperity, and another’s poverty, when and where we live and the day of our death are all things God is carefully overseeing. Because God is connected to our world and life, it only makes sense that we would want to appeal to him in prayer to act.
In fact God invites us to commune with him; talk with him about our desires and experiences – our needing and bleeding. He calls us to call on him and he responds. God acts. And yet prayer is too often an amazing gift that I take for granted. So, when I say I feel like more of a Deist than Christian I am confessing that my prayer life is often too small, and does not always reflect a belief in the God who is there, who cares and is involved. So as I spent a lot of time working through my practice of prayer I came to a few conclusions.
I was praying too little.
I was praying with too little passion.
I was praying with too little optimism (this is a nicer way to say I was praying with little faith).
So, as I have been thinking through the implications of my theology on prayer, and catching a vision for what a healthy prayer life would look like, I also began pulling together a plan to reboot the whole thing. The goal, to state it simply, is to develop a more constant attitude and spirit of prayer throughout each day. Here’s how I have been rebooting my prayer life. It may be helpful to a few others out there.

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1. Properly define prayer.
Yes, prayer can be simply understood as conversing with God. But what most need is a robustly theological perspective on prayer. One of my favorite treatments of the subject is John Bunyan’s famous treatise. His definition of prayer is clarifying and helpful.
Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God hath promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.
This biblical definition of prayer merits some considerable meditation. Better yet – read Bunyan on the subject. Why is this important? The better you understand what prayer is, the better your prayer life will become. For example, for prayer to be legit Bunyan says it must be affectionate. Does that characterize your conversation with God, or is it more of a recitation; an unaffected reading of a grocery list of needs? I will not exegete his definition at the moment, but spend time working through the implications. Do you pray for things God has promised, according to the word? Do you pray submitting yourself to God’s wisdom and ways? Do you pray in faith – believing? Clearly defining what prayer is helps to both guide and evaluate our praying.

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2. Schedule time for extended prayer.
Casual, spontaneous prayer is a good thing, but so is more formal, scheduled prayer. Set aside time each day to get alone with God. Early morning, late evening, lunch break – whatever. Make the time to get quiet and enter into a time of real communion with God. I know that some claim scheduling prayer feels a bit artificial, but such thinking would also dismiss a scheduled date with your spouse. Would scheduling a date with your wife mean a lack of intimacy? I hope not. The point is, without a schedule you are simply much less likely to have extended times of prayer.

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3. Learn a method of prayer.
Extended time alone with God is hard for most, and without a method to work through it, such times of prayer are often hijacked by pressing issues that are waiting to take over our attention. Even getting back on track can be tough. I blogged on the old ACTS model a while back, and I continue to use it as a method of prayer, though these days I call it the PACTS model because I kick it off with a Psalm.
Psalm (a different Psalm each time I pray)
This is helpful as it draws my focus to God’s character and work, sets my mind and heart in a direction where I can work through the rest of this method.
Adoration
Praising God for who he is, what he has done. It is a focus on his glory. The Psalms are particularly helpful here, and this aspect of prayer is very dependent on having a well developed theology.
Confession
Spend time considering, confessing and crucifying sin.
Thanksgiving
Thank God for his provision, care, promises etc.
Supplication
Our pleading with God for our and others specific needs.

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4. Create cues to prompt you throughout the day.
Cues are triggers or prompts that remind us to pray throughout the day. This is not just adding another ritual to a moment, but a calling of yourself back to a frame of mind where you recognize God is present with you, and you are always dependent on him. Get creative and use technology as cues. Tape reminders on your bathroom mirror, stick post-it notes in your planner, leave yourself voice mail at work, send yourself an email in the future, have friends promise to randomly call and remind you to pray, etc.

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5. Master the short prayer.
The short prayer is the sudden, unplanned, informal interaction you have with God in the moment. It may be praise, supplication, or confession. I say the short prayer must be “mastered” because it cannot simply be the lazy man’s prayer habit where God is casually addressed with less interest than we would the lady taking our order at the drive through window. To master the short prayer we must not only keep in mind the proper definition of prayer (it still applies here of course!), but we also have to work on “practicing the presence” of God. Apart from learning to walk through each day with the awareness the God is with us and we are dependant on him we will never master the short prayer.