By Pastor Matthew Ritchey
Prayer is an important part of our walk with the Lord. Why else would the Holy Spirit inspire the Apostle Paul to tell us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17), to “pray every where” (I Timothy 2:8), to “continue in prayer” (Colossians 4:2), and “in every thing” pray (Philippians 4:6)? The Scripture records Paul praying for others (e.g., II Thessalonians 1:11) and encouraging others to pray for him (e.g., I Thessalonians 5:25). He prayed for the spiritual growth of fellow believers (Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; II Timothy 1:3) and even mentions Epaphras praying for the saints in Colossae (Col. 4:12). I Timothy 2:1 speaks of supplications and intercessions, which both speak of lifting requests before the Lord on behalf of others, including those with authority over us (I Timothy 2:2).
Paul also admitted that through prayer God was able to bring deliverance in difficult situations. Paul expresses his confidence that he would be delivered (in life or in death) through the prayers of the Philippians (Philippians 1:19). In another instance, we read of Paul praying in regards to a “thorn in the flesh,” until God’s answer to Paul’s request to take away the thorn was that His grace was sufficient (II Corinthians 12:7-9). Paul prayed that the Corinthians would “do no evil” (II Corinthians 13:7), which is certainly a spiritual issue, but one that manife ...
