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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
June 15,2007; Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (13 of 15)
Focus Text: Philippians 1.1-9
No view of Paul could be complete without considering his teachings and his practice regarding prayer. The final three installments of this miniseries will consider this facet of Paul, the peerless apostle and prophet.
Perhaps we ought to begin with Saul of Tarsus as he waited in the city of Damascus after encountering Jesus while on the road going there. It was the Lord’s plan that Ananias visit Saul to communicate the terms of the gospel to him. To execute that plan, Ananias had to be given instructions. Here is the way the Lord told Ananias to find Saul: “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.” (Acts 9.11). Our first view of Saul after coming to faith in Christ is a view of him in fervent prayer!
Another well known incident occurred in the city of Philippi. Paul and Silas had been illegally jailed there only to be released later by a miraculous act of God. However, while in the jail the twosome impressed the other prisoners due to the fact that “…at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16.25). Whether or not the residents of Philippi learned of Paul’s actions while in their jail, it is certain that they later came to know Paul’s prayer habits through his letter to them. Consider this touching statement: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1.3-5). Furthermore he would write, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment…” (Philippians 1.9). Paul’s theory of prayer was his practice of prayer!
Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul instructed the Corinthians in the facts surrounding Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper and the prayers associated with that event. According to the divine record, “…the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” (1 Corinthians 11.23-24). Paul also made sure that the believers in Corinth knew with certainty the actions of Jesus with the disciples as He drank the cup with them. Prayer, whether in private such as Acts 9 and Philippians 1, or in the presence of unbelievers as in Acts 16, or whether as a part of worship in a public assembly, Paul remained steadfast in his belief in prayer and its efficacy.
It was this same Paul who wrote to other believers and charged them to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5.17). Almost in the same breath, he admonished, “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5.25). Did Paul believe in prayer? The answer is obvious! Did he translate his belief into practice? Everywhere he went! Did he teach others to pray? Yes, and that without ceasing! Paul, the peerless prophet and preacher was also a man of fervent prayer!
Questions:
1. Why did Paul go into Damascus? When Ananias arrived there, what did he instruct Paul to do (see Acts 22.16)? What had he been doing (see Acts 9.11)?
2. Who heard Paul and Silas as they sang and prayed in the jail at Philippi?
3. How often did Paul indicate that he prayed for the brethren at Philippi?
4. With what persistence did he instruct the brethren at Thessalonica to pray? For who or what did he instruct them to pray?
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