Category Archives: Prayer

Bible, Jesus, Names, Prayer, Scripture

NAME ABOVE ALL

PHILIPPIANS 2:9

For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

Some people think they are something just because of their name. There are a lot of famous people who are known by name worldwide. There’s Gandhi, Hitler, Trump, just to name a few. They are so famous only one name is required. I don’t want to be that famous. It would spoil my trips to Waffle House, lol.

There is one other name, however, that is known worldwide – Jesus. This name transcends cultures, ages and even languages. Paul says it was God who bestowed or gave this name to Him. In Luke 1:31 we read what the angel told Mary, “‘And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”

APPLICATION

Now, Jesus is known by many names – Christ, Lord, Immanuel, Lamb of God, Son of God, Son of Man, The Word, Savior, Redeemer, Light of the world. It doesn’t really matter which name you choose; He will answer to them all. He listens as you call on one of His many names. So, don’t hesitate to call Him by name.

To call someone by name means you know that person and that you have some kind of relationship. When I was working with children, I made it a point to learn the children’s names. I would often get down on my knees when I talked to them to be on their level. I wanted to look them in the eyes when I called their name (which I would try to repeat a few times to get it nailed down). We need to look Jesus squarely in the eyes when we call His name.

There is something intimate about using a person’s name. It’s much better than saying, “Hey, you” or “Hey, bud.” So, today when you pray, use the name above all names – Jesus. Look Him in the eyes (spiritually) and talk to Him. He is always listening, but I believe when we call His name, He turns His head towards us and listens intently. He is our Great Intercessor!

Father, You are so good to us and give us that name on which to call. And I thank You that You know my name intimately.

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Bible, Interests, Ministry, Needs, Others, Prayer, Scripture

THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS

PHILIPPIANS 2:4

“do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

As I am writing this devotion this morning, my across the street neighbor is having some type of medical emergency. I have only talked to him a few times as he just moved in a while ago. However, I know he is a believer. We have talked about that. So, as I watch the EMTs go into his house, I am lifting a prayer for him. Today’s verse really hit home this morning.

Paul continues his thought from the previous few verses in today’s verse. He is saying that it is not just about us. We need to keep the needs of others before our own. I read this description of this thought. “To ‘look upon’ here is something more than ‘to seek.’ It expresses that insight into the thoughts, hopes, aspirations of others, which only a self-forgetting love can give, as well as the care to consider their welfare and happiness.” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) Do you have that “self-forgetting” love for others?

APPLICATION

This interest in others does not give us license to interfere. Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 warn us about that. “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” See also 1 Timothy 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:15. Hmmm, I’ve known a few of those, haven’t you? Don’t be like that.

Instead of meddling in other people’s affairs, show genuine concern and love for them. How is that done? First of all, pray for others. Ask them how you can pray for them and then do it. Pray right there for them. Nothing softens the heart like prayer. And if that prayer needs some “feet” to it, do what you can to meet that need.

Back to my neighbor – the ambulance just drove off. I did not run over while the EMTs were there as that would have been meddling. I will go over later today and find out how I can pray. Perhaps I can go to the hospital and check on him. Putting feet to prayers is a good thing. Whatever you do, be genuine. Show Christ’s love to others in the same way He would have.

Lord, give me Your compassion and love for others and show me how to meet their needs if appropriate.

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Bible, Deliverance, Prayer, Scripture, Trust

THE EFFECT OF PRAYER

PHILIPPIANS 1:19

“for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

We have probably all heard testimonies about how someone prayed for something, and God answered their prayer. We have also heard from people who said God never answers their prayers. Which is it? Does God always answer our prayers? Is He really listening? Psalm 5:3 answers that pretty clearly. “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

Paul is stating a fact in today’s verse, not just dreaming about what he wishes would happen. He said, “I know.” The Greek verb there, oida, is in the Perfect tense. That is important because it meant this was a past event that has lasting results. Paul knew from his past knowledge of prayer that this would end exactly the way God intended. He believed he would be delivered or rescued from his present circumstances. Why? Because of the Philippians’ prayers for him.

APPLICATION

I could give you dozens of examples of answered prayers in my life. That does not make me more spiritual. It just means I have learned to look for the answer when I pray. Does God always answer my prayers? Yes. Sometimes it is a yes. Other times it is a no, and most of the time He says, “Not now.” But God has always answered my sincere attempts to hear from Him. I am a slow learner, though. He often has to repeat His answer several times for me to hear it.

These prayers that were being offered up were specific prayers. The Greek word there is deésis. This word “is used to describe prayers that are specific and fervent, often in the context of seeking divine intervention or assistance.” (Strong’s Lexicon). Don’t pray flippant and non-specific prayers. Pray exactly. Pray intently. Pray fervently.

Your prayers can change things. Does it change God’s mind? No, it is meant to change our hearts to see things God’s way. Our prayers for others are meant to draw us closer to Him. As we beseech God for someone’s salvation or healing, we are coming before the One who has the power to answer. Pray and trust. Read Psalm 5:3 again. Practice this daily.

O Lord, I know You are listening and are intent on meeting my deepest needs.

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Bible, Grace, Joy, Prayer, Scripture

PRAY WITH JOY

PHILIPPIANS 1:4

“always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,” 

I love to pray for others. I’ve been doing that for a long time. But I must be honest. I don’t always pray with joy. Sometimes I pray for people I am really struggling to get along with. However, God doesn’t let me get away with flippant prayers I make just to say I prayed. So, this verse really hit me hard.

Paul had fond memories of the Philippians. Joy was expressed in his prayers for them. Paul uses the Greek word deesis to describe his prayers. “In the New Testament, deesis is used to describe prayers that are specific and fervent, often in the context of seeking divine intervention or assistance.” (Strong’s Lexicon)

APPLICATION

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul uses this word again where it is translated as “request.” “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,”

These specific requests made by Paul were in joy. That word “joy” is tied directly back to the Greek word for grace. As Paul extended grace to these people he can pray with joy for them. Who in your life can you say that about? How can you extend grace to those for whom you pray?

As you pray today, pray with joy. Let a smile come across your face as you lift each name heavenward. As you smile, I’m sure God is smiling also.

Father, give me joy today as I pray for others.

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Bible, Family, Friends, Prayer, Remembering, Scripture

REMEMBERING YOU

PHILIPPIANS 1:3

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” 

Well, it is true. As you get older, you begin to forget things. For me, it’s where I put my phone or my keys. I can remember things from way back, but short memory gives me fits. They say chemotherapy drugs can cause that. Since I have had that twice with my two stem cell transplants, I am going to use that excuse rather than the getting old one. What do you think?

Paul has strong feelings for these believers in Philippi. Do you remember how that church got started? Paul had been arrested and thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. God caused quite a disturbance. Acts 16:26 says, “and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” As a result of that, the jailer and all his household were saved. Praise God! That would definitely stir your memory.

APPLICATION

Only Paul uses the Greek word mneia in the New Testament. Each time it is used, it involves Paul recalling a memory about someone or something. In Romans 1:9, he writes, “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you.” Paul was praying for all those he had met in his missionary journeys.

Paul tells the Ephesians, Philemon, Timothy and the Thessalonians that he was “making mention” of them in his prayers. Paul cared enough, despite his imprisonment as he writes these letters, to let people know they were still on his mind and in his prayers. Can you imagine how these people felt knowing Paul was praying for them?

Who are you praying for? Who are you remembering in your prayers? I hope you have a prayer list of people you pray for daily, weekly or monthly. Praying for your own needs is important, but I believe praying for others is much more special to the ears of God. Remember and pray!

Father, bring to my remembrance those for whom I should pray for today.

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Bible, Faithfulness, Fighting, Prayer, Scripture, Striving

STRIVING

COLOSSIANS 4:12

“Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

Often when you hear the word “striving” it has a negative connotation. We are trying hard, perhaps too hard to accomplish something. In the Christian world we might say that person is trying to do it in the flesh rather than the Spirit. But striving is not always bad. Let’s see what the Word has to say about it.

Paul says that Epaphras was “always striving earnestly” for others in his prayers. What a compliment! Wouldn’t it be great to be known for that? Epaphras could be counted on to pray for you if he said he would. So, was his striving a bad thing? No, let’s look at some other ways this word is used in Scripture.

APPLICATION

The word used here is agónizomai which means to struggle or to labor fervently. Jesus Himself used this word. We see that in Luke 13:22-24. “22 And He was passing through one city and village after another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, ‘Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?’ And He said to them, 24 ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” We should strive to enter that narrow door.

In one of the best passages from Paul, we find the word used again in 2 Timothy 4:7. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” Agónizomai is translated as “have fought.” Do you see the picture Scripture is trying to paint of this word. Striving is real. We all have our struggles. But it’s important to make sure that we are striving in the Spirit and not our flesh.

We get our word “agonize” from agónizomai. Have you ever agonized over something? Have you, like Epaphraas, ever agonized in prayer? There have been times in my life I did. God hears us. He knows the pain we are going through. Let me encourage you to strive a little more earnestly in your prayer life. I promise it will draw you closer to Him.

I cry out to You, O Lord. I know You hear and will answer according to Your perfect will.

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Bible, Body, Church, Gospel, Prayer, Scripture

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

COLOSSIANS 4:3

“praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;”

Praying for others is such a privilege. I have been praying for some of my friends and some missionaries I know for over twenty years. As part of my role with Every Man A Warrior, I lead the Prayer Ministry. I ask quite often for prayer requests from our leaders so I can share those with some of our Intercessors. It truly is a privilege to pray for others.

Paul is asking the Colossian believers to pray for him. He asks specifically that they pray for an open door to “proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Don’t miss the point that he is asking this even though he is in prison for doing exactly that. Paul was not afraid. He wanted more and more opportunities to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION

In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks the Ephesians a similar request. “19 and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Paul was asking everyone to pray for him.

2 Corinthians 1:11 gives us another glimpse into Paul asking for prayers from others. “if you also join in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.” Even the writer of Hebrews asks for prayers in Hebrews 13:18-19. “18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.”

So, what’s my point? Pray for others and let others know your requests. The Body of Christ needs prayer. We need to be praying for others. We need to lift each other before the throne of God daily. Don’t be bashful to ask for prayer. God may just use your request for prayer to spur someone to drop to their knees, thus drawing them closer to Him.

O Lord, I lift up all my family and friends today and ask You to work in their lives according to Your perfect Will.

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Bible, Devotion, Distractions, Prayer, Scripture

DEVOTED TO PRAYER

COLOSSIANS 4:2

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;”

Call me weird (and many people do, lol) but when I read this verse the song “Hopelessly Devoted to You” came to mind. Remember that song from the movie “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John? They were so in love and vowed to spend their lives together.

Paul is not talking about teenage love when he talks about devotion in today’s verse. He is talking about us being totally and steadfastly devoted to prayer. The Greek word translated “devote” is proskartereó, which comes from pros (towards, interactively with ) and karteréō (show steadfast strength). I really like how HELPS Word Studies defines this word. “To consistently show strength which prevails (in spite of difficulties); to endure (remain firm), staying in a fixed direction.”

APPLICATION

Are you that way in prayer? My problem is I can be so easily distracted. My phone is the worst culprit. If it dings, I look at it. So, I have learned to silence it and lay it face down. We men are such visual creatures. It doesn’t take much to draw our attention away from what is truly important.

We see proskartereó used in Acts 2:42 where it says, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Don’t you want to be like that? I do. I read a quote the other day that said, “Prayer is not preparation for battle; it is the battle.” I really like that.

Proskartereó is also used in Romans 12:12. In a large list of things (Paul loved lists, lol) he says, “devoted to prayer.” I wonder how much time Paul spent in prayer. I bet a lot, but he probably thought he could have prayed more. We all do, don’t we? Even Jesus was devoted to prayer, getting up early to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35). Let’s be like Him.

Father, time spent in prayer is time spent with You, the Maker and Creator of the universe. What a privilege.

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Answers, Bible, Hearing, Intercession, Prayer, Scripture

ALWAYS PRAYING

COLOSSIANS 1:3

“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”

How many times have you told someone, “I will pray for you,” or “I’ll remember you in my prayers”? Then you go home and totally forget all about it. I have learned when I am asked to pray for someone to do it right then, either out loud with the person or in my heart. I know how forgetful I am. I will forget who it was or what it was I was praying for. It doesn’t take much time. And if you do it right then, that person knows you take prayer seriously.

Paul tells his fellow believers in Colossae that he is “praying always” for them. I bet that was not the first time Paul had told them that. They knew Paul was a man of prayer. They knew Paul had modeled prayer for others to them. They could trust this statement and knew he was praying for them, even while he was in prison (his first imprisonment).

APPLICATION

How do you model this for others? Well, I told you what I do, but you may choose another way. You may want to make a note in your phone or in a journal. I do both of these, as well. I meet with different men’s groups and keep a list of prayer requests. Then when I am having my daily prayer time, I can pull these out and pray for them by name.

Let me encourage you to do that – pray for them by name. Generic prayers are good. All prayers are good, but when you call that person’s name and intercede for them, you are being specific in your prayers. We are told in Philippians to present our prayers and petitions before the Lord (Phil. 4:6-7). That Greek for “petitions” is used to describe prayers that are specific and fervent, often in the context of seeking divine intervention or assistance.

Don’t be shy about your prayers. God can handle all you give Him. In fact, He is waiting for them. He wants to hear them. He wants to answer them. By praying for others, you are building your own faith in prayer. Intercede for others as often as you can and watch the God of the universe work in and through you.

Father, I know You hear my prayers for others. Answer according to Your perfect will.

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Bible, Boldness, Gospel, Prayer, Scripture

IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR PRAYER

EPHESIANS 6:19

“and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,”

It hard to ask for prayers for yourself, isn’t it? I remember when I went through my second stem cell transplant, I truly believe the Lord told me to not pray for my healing. Instead, He burdened others to pray for me. When I was asked by others how they could pray for me, I told them to pray I would be an example of humility and faith for others to see. I hope I was able to do that well to please the Father.

So, we find Paul here in today’s verse asking for prayer. He didn’t ask them to pray for protection from his enemies (and he had many). He asked them pray for him to be bold in his speech so he could present the gospel well. Remember where he was when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. He was under house arrest in Rome. Humility and meekness were what Paul exhibited. I truly believe God gave him an audience there in that Roman incarceration.

APPLICATION

Paul asked that he be given a divine utterance. That is what the original language truly says. The word used for “speech” is the Greek word logos. That is the same word used to describe Christ. Just look at John 1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Paul is asking that Christ fill his mouth. Shouldn’t we ask for the same?

The word “opening” is only used here in the New Testament. Now, let’s just talk about that for a second. We are in the middle of a pretty heated political season here in the U.S. Perhaps if both candidates would pray for the correct “opening” of their mouth, this campaign season would be a lot less volatile. Don’t you think? We should do the same. We should weigh every word that comes out of our mouths.

Finally, Paul asks for boldness. That Greek word means, “leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously).” (HELPS Word studies). Paul wanted all those who heard his words about Jesus to remember them. He wanted to see others come to Christ. We should have the same motive when speaking. Do that today. Share the gospel with someone in your circle of influence today.

Lord, You promise to give us the words to speak when we need them. Stop our mouths with Your Word today.

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