Pleading for Reformation: The Prayers of Paul

Here are some of the prayers that Paul records for the churches and individuals he writes to:
Philippians 1:9-11
1 Thess. 3:9-13
Colossians 1:9-14
Ephesians 1:15-19
Ephesians 3:14-21
Romans 10:1
Romans 15:5-6
Romans 15:13
Romans 15:30-33
2 Thess. 1:11-12
2 Thess. 2:16-17
Philemon 4-7

We have studied these prayers on Wednesday nights at Christ Baptist seeking to grow in our corporate prayer life. It has been an amazing study. As I quickly reflected on all we have learned, I came up with this list:

What do we learn from Paul’s prayers?:

-Paul most often identifies evidences of grace in the people he is praying for. He uses these evidences as reasons to thank God for them.
-Paul often bases his prayers in the character of God. They are all God-centered.
-Paul often prays for God to do things that are commanded elsewhere.
-Paul often prays for God to take something already evident and increase it.
-Paul only prays for spiritual realities.
-Paul often prays for knowledge or understanding of something.
-The ultimate end of Paul’s prayer is often said to be the glory of God.
-Paul must have always been praying for churches and friends.

DA Carson has a great book on Paul's prayers titled, A Call to Spiritual Reformation.

Prayers of Paul: Philippians 1:3-11

Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:3-8)
Why Paul thanks God for the Philippians:
(1) His own feelings for them.
-He offers prayer with joy (1:4)
-He has them in his heart (1:7)
-He longs for them with the affection of Christ Jesus (1:8)
(2) Their fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
-They are “fellow partakers/partners.” (1:5, 7)
(3) God’s good work in them. (1:6)
-Past: “He who began a good work in you.” (God’s sovereign initiative)
-Present: “Will complete it” (God’s sovereign faithfulness)
-Future: “Until the day of Christ.” (God’s sovereign completion)

Prayer of Intercession (1:9-11)
What Paul prays for the Philippians:
-Their love may abound and grow more and more.
(1) that they might make the best decisions possible
-in real knowledge and all discernment.
-They may approve (discern) the things that are excellent.
(2) that they might be the best people possible
-Sincerity (purity) and blamelessness.
-filled with the fruit of righteousness to the glory & praise of God.

Gospel Behavior

In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul rebukes Peter publicly because he was not walking in step with the truth of the gospel. As I see it, there were 5 stages that led to this public rebuke:

1. Peter went to Antioch and ate with the Gentiles. Remember, strict Jews did not eat with Gentiles (unclean) and certainly did not eat what the Gentiles ate (dietary laws). In eating with the Gentiles, Peter was declaring the gospel. He was implying that they were totally accepted into the fellowship by faith alone. The Gentiles did not need to become Jews in order to be saved.

2. Some men came from Jerusalem, claiming to be from James. It is impossible to tell whether these men actually were from James or were just claiming to be from James. Because of Acts 15:24, I tend to think that they were just claiming James' authority. These were obviously Judaizers who believed that Gentiles must believe in Christ and keep the law in order to have full fellowship.

3. In fear, Peter withdraws from eating with Gentiles. We are not exactly sure what Peter was afraid of, but it must have been related to what these men would say about him eating with Gentiles. The word "drew back" is a military term used for armies who would retreat and find a safer position. Peter's actions were dileberate. In withdrawing from eating with the Gentiles, Peter was contradicting the gospel. He was implying that Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be fully accepted by God.

4. Other Jews, including Barnabas, were lead astray by Peter's actions. Our sins do not just affect us, but often lead others to dishonor our Savior.

5. Paul confronted Peter to his face. Public and damaging sins deserve public rebukes.

The text says at least 3 things were out of step with the gospel in Peter's actions:

1. The fear of man.

2. Hypocricy.

3. Legalism (which was the essense of what Peter was implying by his actions).

One of the main points from this passage is that the gospel governs not just our beliefs but also our actions. Some beliefs contradict the gospel and some actions contradict the gospel.