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Pray the Bible

Pray the Bible: Session 4

Praying the Apostle Paul’s Prayers

Scattered throughout his thirteen epistles are many prayers by the apostle Paul—some long and glorious, others short and sweet. Session four of Pray the Bible will teach us why Paul can be an example for us in prayer, how to identify Paul’s prayers, and work through three of Paul’s prayers with practical pointers on how we can use them.

Pray the Bible - Praying the Apostle Paul’s Prayers - Teaching (audio)

Praying the Apostle Paul’s Prayers PDF Transcript

Discussion Questions:

  • Paul shares a short biographical sketch of his life in 1 Timothy 1:12–17 (verse 17 is a prayer). How does that passage shed light on why Paul was so dedicated to prayer? How does it motivate you to pray?
  • Read Ephesians 1:15–23. This prayer is to connect the Ephesians’ head knowledge of glorious gospel truths with their everyday life experience. How do you need a great understanding of the hope of the gospel, the love of God, and God’s power toward us? How might you pray this passage or its themes?
  • Read Philippians 1:9–11 and make it your prayer. How do you find it helpful? For what situations might it prove especially useful?
  • Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 and make it your prayer. How do you find it helpful? For what situations might it prove especially useful?

Discussion Questions PDF

Respond to the teaching in prayer:

  • Praise God for the example of the Apostle Paul and His transforming work in Paul’s life.
  • Ask God for greater faith to pray big prayers that advance the gospel our our hearts and communities.
  • Make Paul’s prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 your own: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Resources to go deeper:

Article: Six Observations from the Apostle Paul’s Prayer Requests by Kevin Halloran

Article: How I Pray Colossians 1:9–12 to Know and Do God’s Will by Kevin Halloran

Journal Article: Paul Prays for the Church (on Ephesians 3:14–21) by John Stott

Book Recommendation: Lessons from the Apostle Paul’s Prayers by Charles Spurgeon

Recommended Prayers of the Apostle Paul:

Knowing and Praising God:

  • Romans 11:33–36 (example of a Benediction)
  • Ephesians 1:15–23 (example of Prayer Report)
  • Ephesians 3:14–21
  • Colossians 1:3–14
  • 1 Timothy 1:17

Spiritual Growth:

  • Romans 15:5–6
  • Romans 15:13 (example of a Wish Prayer)
  • 1 Corinthians 1:4–9
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3–11
  • 2 Corinthians 13:7–9
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14
  • Philippians 1:3–6
  • Philippians 1:9–11
  • Philippians 4:6–7
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Gospel Ministry:

  • Romans 15:30–33
  • Ephesians 6:18–20 (Example of a Request for Prayer)
  • Colossians 4:2–4
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
  • 1 Timothy 2:1–6
  • Philemon 4–7

See a full list of the Apostle Paul’s Prayers.

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