Prayer for Others

2018-08-18

Paul was a man of prayer. As he blessed each church with grace and peace, he also prayed for them constantly. Here are some instances of his prayer at the beginning of his epistles. We can see that he never stopped praying, and was true to his command, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Look for the phrases, “without ceasing,” “always,” “every remembrance,” and so forth.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For 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 (Romans 1:8-9)

Paul constantly prayed for the Romans and gave thanks for their faithful service.

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Paul thanked God for the grace that was given to the Corinthians.

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 (Ephesians 1:15-16)

Paul thanked God for the faith and love of the Ephesians.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5)

Paul thanked God for the fellowship he had with the Philippians since he met them.

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints (Colossians 1:3-4)

Paul thanked God for the Colossians’ faith in Christ and love for others.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4)

Paul thanked God for the work they do for the Lord and the patience they had in their tribulation.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Paul thanked God for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonians, and their love for each other amid their tribulation.

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy (2 Timothy 1:3-4)

Paul thanked God for Timothy, hoping to see him soon.

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 1:4-6)

Paul thanked God for Philemon since hearing about his love and faith, and that he would continue in that path.