let's be honest; most of the time we pray for our success, health, prosperity, and happiness.
and when we're not praying such things for ourselves, we're doing so for our friends (how noble.)
further, i would bet that it is almost universally true that the times we pray the most are the times
in which we perceive our comfort to be threatened. "god, save me from this trouble."
note: though it probably sounds like it, i'm not actually setting out in total condemnation of this practice (partial condemnation yes;
full, no).
the lords prayer (matt 6:9-13)
matt 6:9-13
Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]
what's in the prayer?
the holiness of god's name
the will of god
provision of food (physical needs)
our forgiveness
our deliverence from evil
solomon's prayer (1 kings 8:22-53)
1 kings 8:22-53
(too long - go look it up)
what's in the prayer?
v23,24 praise to god
v25,26 request to keep promises made (about david's throne)
v27-53 is basically a request to hear prayers offered from the temple (v52 "that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant
and to the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You.")
comment on what epaphras prays for the colossians (col 4:12)
col 4:12
12. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring
earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
what's in the prayer?
TODO
jesus' high priestly prayer (john 17)
john 17
what's in the prayer?
TODO
paul for the colossians (col 1:9-12)
col 1:9-12
9. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you
may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10. so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every
good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11. strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
12. giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
what's in the prayer?
TODO
habakkuk's prayer (hab. 3)
hab 3
(too long. come on, use your bible)
what's in the prayer?
TODO
Should we pray for the salvation of others?
well, i'm not aware of any/many places in the bible where someone prays for the salvation of others, but there may be some.
we do definitely know that it is the expressed desire of many in the Bible (and depending on your views of calvinism, the desire of god as well).
examples of this include paul's desire for israel's salvation in rom. 9:1-5 and paul's begging on behalf of christ to be reconciled to god in 2 cor 5:20.
so the desire is clearly biblical; as such it is probably consistent to express this desire to god in prayer (phil. 4:6, Be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.)