“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Numerous times in the epistles of the New Testament we get a glimpse into the life Paul led. He really was a great spiritual leader and it is evident why God intervened in His life so drastically. Paul pointed people to Christ with such zeal, the ripples can very well be felt today. Numerous people a year travel around Europe and the Mid-East just to track in Paul’s steps.
The amazing quality of Paul’s leadership that gets overlooked is his extensive prayer life. Prayer carried Paul through prison, on his missionary journeys, and his writing to the churches. Could we even begin to say the same?
Here’s a little insight into my life. I pray at most meals and then for maybe five to ten minutes in the morning. Yet I do not pray nearly as much as I feel led to pray. Now I do not want to get legalistic, it is not about time, it is about the heart. But here is the thing, if prayer is about the heart, then should we, should I, be in prayer whenever my heart is stirred in some way?
Meaning, any time I sense anxiety, I should turn to prayer. Anytime I think of a fond memory with someone, I should turn to praying for that person. Before I start any task, knowing the next few minutes to hours will be dedicated the task, I should begin it in prayer.
Paul and Prayer:
Frequently it seems Paul mentions prayer, not so much that we should be praying, but by his own example he is praying and mentions it. It seemed to be as the center of his mission, for when he could not be with a church, he prayed for that church. When he knew of an issue or an area of growth for a church, he would turn to prayer, and interceding for that church who probably never thought to pray.
His example of prayer was contagious too. Notice how he says, “we keep on praying.” Those who joined him in his mission and tasks would join him in his prayers. I am certain that he led Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Barnabas, and Mark in prayer. Anytime Paul was in prison, the other prisoners and guards would have seen and heard him praying, those that converted may have joined him in praying too. Paul prayed in community. If I took more time to study for these devos I would tell you just how many times Paul mentions he is in prayer for a church, a person, or for himself. I do not have that time, but I have to imagine that prayer, individually and in community, was at the epicenter of Paul’s missions. It was something he did diligently, with great zeal and care. His prayers seemed to simply flow from who he was, he was observant and compassionate, perhaps because he knew well the grace he has received.
Prayer and Today:
I wonder, why even in classes of people preparing for ministry why we are hesitant to pray. That goes for me to, I am the chief culprit, trying to not make eye contact with the professor nor any overly vocal student.
Do I not have a powerful view of prayer?
Do I not know that God can work wonders even by a simple prayer?
Why do I care that I may sound awkward and ineloquent?
Do I undermine the value of grace in my life when I do not turn to prayer?
I honestly do not have answers for those, but something about prayer has to change today. Casting aside weakness, worries, awkwardness, and selfish ambition and pick up the cross to pray to Christ who experienced more humiliation than anyone ever could.
Obviously, people are passionate too. Bring up a political issue, talk about their work, or seek their dreams, and they will rise to a new level of energy in conversations. If our hearts are stirred by the issues and concerns of the world, then we can easily turn to prayer.
So I must wonder, how often do you pray? I hope the answer is whenever my heart is stirred to pray for the church, for people, for events, for issues, and so on. Then the goal is just to make sure that your heart gets stirred up about something or someone.
I know I am not a perfect example of someone who is prayerfully diligent. But I hope to be, and I have felt deeply convicted to grow in that area of my life. I once heard a story of a pastor who would pray for his church, family, and community for 3 hours a day. The impact of the discipline of prayer was evident, the church was different than all others in the area. Prayer is a mark of spiritual vitality and health. A mark I hope to possess.
Final Blessing:
Paul prayed frequently and with great boldness and compassion. It must have become contagious to those who guarded him and those he ministered to. He set an example of praying for being a fulfillment to what God has called one to do. If I want to really accomplish what I believe God has called me to do, then my first step is prayer, and every step in between is prayer. When my heart gets stirred, I should turn to prayer, lifting up my concerns to God above, to work it out and purify me, encouraging me to accomplish my call. In the same way, I hope that when your heart gets stirred, that you will turn to prayer.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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