PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD The previous two devotions listed twenty-four requests found in Apostolic prayers for the saints. It should be apparent that these are all areas of Divine focus. While we are encouraged to make our personal requests known to God, there are certain stipulations concerning their fulfillment. They must be asked in faith, without wavering (James 1:6-7). They must also be according to the will of God (1 John 5:14- 15). -- Tomorrow:
"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; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 4 of 32
God responds to our requests by granting a peace that will keep our "hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7). However, there are no such limitations placed on matters included in Apostolic prayers. They are more directly related to the purpose of God, and thus are the more guaranteed of fulfillment. These have more to do with God's "eternal purpose," and thus must be given greater emphasis in our prayers.
WHERE GRACE IS ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE
What child of God has not experienced disappointment in the matter of prayer. Something was fervently sought, yet it appeared as though, at the best, the answer was much delayed. Of course, Jesus affirmed that there are times when the Lord will "bear long" with us, delaying an answer to our prayers (Lk 18:7).
However, in the matters covered by Apostolic prayers, there is no hint of delays. They are areas in which the grace of God is especially effective, and thus it is to be expected that prayers concerning them will be answered. God's grace is tailored, so to speak, for such things.
AREAS OF FRUITFULNESS
These are all areas in which fruit can be realized. They deal with things for which Divine power is intentionally adapted. Those who bear fruit in these areas will be more apt to be effective in all that they do.
AREAS OF PROPER PREPARATION
The areas covered by these prayers also tend to prepare us for the world to come. Growth in these matters will enable us to stand confidently before the Lord in the day of judgment. They will produce a hearty anticipation of dwelling forever in the house of the Lord. It is sad, yet true, that many prayers that are offered to God, even if they were answered, would not yield such results.
RARELY ARE APOSTOLIC PRAYERS CORRECTIVE
If you will study the prayers of the Apostles for the churches, you will find they are rarely, if ever, corrective. I have provided twenty-four examples of such prayers. The nature of them is very apparent. Generally speaking, the Apostles would deal with needed correction through doctrine, not through prayer.
GENERALLY PROMPTED BY GOOD REPORTS
A good report concerning those who were in Christ Jesus often prompted Apostolic prayers (Eph 1:15-16; Col 1:9; Phile 1:5).
REVEAL THE OBJECTIVE OF PROPER PREACHING
The focus of inspired prayer is also be the focus of sound preaching. There is a sense in which prayer and preaching must be harmonious. One can only imagine what marvelous effects would come from preaching that was in full accord with the subjects of Apostolic prayers. Ponder these matters that were sought for saints in the fellowship of prayer.
1. A spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God.
2. Knowing why God has called us.
3. Knowing we are God's inheritance.
4. Comprehending the extent of the Divine power that is toward us.
5. Strength in the inner man.
6. Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith.
7. Comprehending the magnitude of salvation.
8. Abounding in love.
9. Approving things that are excellent.
10. Being ready for the day of Christ.
11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness.
12. Being filled with the knowledge of God's will.
13. Walking worthy of the Lord.
14. Being fruitful in every good work.
15. Increasing in the knowledge of God.
16. Strengthened with all might.
17. All patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
18. Perfect and complete in all the will of God.
19. Being sanctified wholly, spirit, soul, and body.
20. Being worthy of God's calling.
21. God fulfilling all the good pleasure of His will in us, and the work of faith with power.
22. The name of Jesus being glorified through us.
23. The communication of our faith being effective.
24. God working us to do His will.
It should be apparent that such noble objectives are rarely mentioned in the preaching of our day. I suggest that there can be no truly good or sound preaching independently of these objectives. Whatever good may appear to result from other doctrinal emphases is only imagined. It is not valid in the eyes of God, and will bring Him no glory.
A person cannot be out of synch with the objectives of the Lord and have a truly proper and profitable ministry. Appropriate and effective ministries are the result of laboring together with God (1 Cor 3:9), and being yoked to the Lord Jesus (Matt 11:29-30). Where there is no fellowship with Jesus in intention, there can be no fellowship with Him in labor. Godly works require God's presence. This should be apparent to us, and will be confirmed in the prayer before us.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to seek for Your people what You have promised to give them.