Paul's Prayers

We have just finished the book of 1 Thessalonians. Paul's letters are weaved if not structured around his prayers for the church he is writing to. The content of his prayers is astonishing. The churches are often suffering, or in difficult situations, but never does Paul pray that God might change their circumstances. Never does he pray that this ruler might be overthrown and replaced with a kind one.

As this insight dawns on me, I can't help but contrast it with my prayers, and the public prayers I hear at church and elsewhere. Our prayers are commonly to heal this person, stop that wrongdoing, remove this injustice, and open a door. Whereas Paul's prayers tend to thank God for what he is doing in these people, and please help them to know you more deeply – to see what you are doing in their life.

There appear to be two differing sets of assumptions. Our prayers assume that our well-being has to do with our external circumstances, and how we imagine things ought to be so we can thrive. God's place is to restrain evil and suffering, so we can get on with living life and serving him.

Paul does not seem to share those assumptions. Not that such prayers are wrong. Paul prays that his thorn in the flesh be removed. Jesus teaches his disciples to ask for their daily bread. But without goading, we risk becoming content and comfortable.

Paul's prayers reveal an assumption that when our internal predisposition is Godward, and we seek to understand his purposes, we can perceive how both external blessings and trials are tools God uses to transform us and bring glory to himself.

I invite you to pause, check the content, and then question your prayer life's assumptions. If they appear non-aligned with the biblical prayers of Paul, why not print out some of his prayers, and use them as bookends around your personal prayers for a season.