Starting to read 2 Timothy this morning I came across chapter one verse 3 which states: I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. Two things, the Apostle has a tendency to remember his Christian friends without ceasing, and his prayer times never seem to conclude.
I recalled other times in my reading, Paul mentioning similar accounts concerning his thoughtfulness in regard to the saints and his seemingly endless prayer life.
Upon further study I found that the Apostle prayed a lot and that much of his prayer consisted of praying for other people. Let us consider this exceptional dedication to communing with God on behalf of others.
On one another occasion he speaks of a 24/7 life of prayer.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul says: Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.
Without question Paul loved the brethren. And he loved to pray.
Look at these other scriptures.
Romans 1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. Paul tells the Church at Rome, Every time I pray, I always mention you. No exaggeration here. God knows.
To the Ephesian believers Paul expresses: Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15,16.
Again, they are never forgotten either.
To the Philippian saints he proclaims: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy. Philippians 1:3,4.
To the Colossian congregation he writes in Colossians 1:3:
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
And in 1:9 he adds:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
To the Thessalonian church again he declares: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.
1 Thessalonians 1:2.
Always and without ceasing are the Apostle Paul’s key words.
He is, after all, the one who told us to, Pray without ceasing. Just preaching what he practiced.
Finally, to his friend Philemon he lets it be known: I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers. Philemon 1:4.
Imagine receiving a letter from the Apostle Paul and you open it to read in the first chapter, I never cease to pray for you. You are always in my prayers. That would be both comforting and encouraging.
Now imagine being like Paul. Immersed in prayer. No wonder he changed the Gentile world.
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
Comments