In a recent Bible class, a verse was quoted from the Book of Philemon. On hearing the verse, my first thought was, “I thought that verse was in a different book.” When I later looked more closely, I found the words from Philemon are found in at least nine of the books of our New Testament written by Paul. What did Paul find so important that he stated it often in his writings to the infant church? What can we learn from these words to help us in the church during the 21st century?
The Words
Throughout Paul’s writings, he used the words “I thank my God” (Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3; Philemon 4) or “We give thanks” (Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:2). Other verses also mention “thank God” (2 Thessalonians 1:3) and giving “thanks” (Ephesians 1:16). In each case, Paul was thanking God for fellow Christians and their work or for God’s gifts to those Christians.
Obviously, Paul was thanking God through prayer, as we do today. However, in many of the verses where Paul stated that he gave thanks, he emphasized giving that thanks through prayer (Philemon 4; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Ephesians 1:16). Additionally, several of these verses written by Paul tell the original recipients that he made “mention” of them in prayer.
The Reasons
Paul’s prayers for the brethren were about more than just thanking God for the existence of fellow Christians. In Romans 1:8, Paul was thankful for the faith of the Roman Christians that is known worldwide. Paul was thankful for the Christians at Thessalonica because their faith and love for each other continued to grow (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Paul also mentioned the Christians to whom he was writing when he made requests of God for them. Romans 1:9-12 explains that Paul prayed to God requesting a way for Paul to visit the church at Rome so spiritual gifts could be imparted to them. Paul prayed in Philippians 1:9-11 that the brethren would grow in their love and knowledge and remain faithful to Christ. Paul’s letter to Philemon includes a request to God that “the sharing of your faith become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” (6). In Ephesians 1:16-21, Paul asked God to give the Christians at Ephesus wisdom and understanding. Paul also passed along the prayers of another Christian, Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), for the church at Colossae to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
The Importance
When Paul wrote instructions to the young preacher Timothy, he penned, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Paul told Timothy to pray for others; Paul’s writings show that he was an example of following that command.
As Christians in the 21st century, we need to follow the example of Paul in our prayers (1 Corinthians 11:1). As Paul instructed Timothy, our prayers need to include not just fellow Christians, but also rulers and those outside the body of Christ. Our prayers for other Christians should include:
- thanks for their salvation,
- thanks for their sound works, faith, and love,
- requests for strength to live faithfully,
- requests for wisdom and understanding,
- requests for physical and spiritual healing (James 5:13-18) and
- requests for help in bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
The New Testament addresses prayer in many passages through instructions and examples (Matthew 6:5-14; 21:21-22; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; etc.). Paul’s writings show his deep care and concern for souls, especially those in the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:28; consider also the numerous individuals named throughout his writings). His prayers reflect that care. Our prayers should reflect the same care and concern for lost souls and our brethren.
