Yes! There is Good News! January 27, 2018

We have been engaged, for the past few weeks, in Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians found in Eph. 1:16-20. This is not his only prayer for this church group. We find a second prayer in chapter 3, verses14 through 19. In the book of Romans Paul offers two short prayers for that church in 15:5-6 and 13. He offers two short prayers for the Philippians in 1:3-4 and 9-11. For the Colossians, he offers a prayer in 1:9-14. In both letters to the Thessalonians there are prayers: 1 Thes. 3:12-13 & 5:23 and 2 Thes. 1:11-12 & 2:16-17.

Why do I mention them? I think it is instructive to read the things that Paul thought were important for the churches. In my own prayer life I will usually pray for the physical and emotional needs of a friend or brother (health, finances or mental wellbeing), but I tend to forget the spiritual needs which are perhaps of greater importance.

We all have needs and wants. In our congregation we have a prayer book that is passed around during our worship service so that requests for prayers may be written down. Toward the end of services the written requests are read aloud and a prayer is offered for them. Most often the prayer requests mention family members, acquaintances, co-workers and members of the congregation. The concerns mentioned are most often physical. It is the physical realm of which we are most aware and so it is there that we usually focus our time and efforts. But, is it not in the spiritual realm of our lives that things are of utmost importance? Yes – one’s need to “walk worthy of the calling we have received” (Eph. 4:1) so as to serve God in our lives, must come before the physical requests we have.

And what about ourselves? Do we remember to pray for ourselves?

Do we need spiritual enlightenment, wisdom, better knowledge of the path God wants us to walk or an understanding of God’s word? Or how about the joy and peace in our lives to overflow with love for God and for our neighbor. Do we find ourselves getting angry, offended, or filled with pride and vanity? It is hard to pray for someone else if we are in a bad mood or filled with vanity.

Perhaps I have mentioned this before but I liken it to the speech the stewardess gives before each and every flight: “In case of a loss of oxygen in the cabin, a mask will drop from the compartment above you. Make sure you place the mask on yourself first so that you may be able to help a child or neighbor with theirs.” I suppose it should be obvious, but if we are struggling with a lack of oxygen, we are no good to ourselves or others. And so it is in the spiritual realm. We need to be in a good relationship with our heavenly Father so as to better help a friend who needs us to pray for them.

I have given you many references to Paul’s prayers. I encourage you to get your bible and read all of them. Perhaps in your on-going reading, you may find other prayers that Paul or Peter or one of the other writers in the bible used. I find these prayers very uplifting. And that is good news.