Prayer In The Dispensation Of Grace Part 3

Preaching The Grace Of God – From The King James Bible – Dispensationally Delivered
Berean Bible Church – Edgewater, Florida

Introduction

So far we have learned, hopefully, the following about prayer in the dispensation of the grace of God.

Signs, miracles and wonders were used to validate the word of God until the canon of scripture was completed.

Signs, miracles and wonders ceased with the completed word of God.

We are not to be to superstitious in any spiritual activity. To do so makes it religion.

God will not violate the will of man

God does not manipulate circumstances

There are four component parts to prayer

Adoration
Supplication
Intercession
Thanksgiving

Today we will look at what Paul prayed

And what he expected from that prayer

Paul is our pattern and so we need to follow his example in all aspects of our lives. As we follow Paul we are following Christ.

Paul is our apostle

Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

1 Tim 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Paul is our example

2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

2 Tim 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Paul Is our pattern

1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

With this in mind let us look at the Pauline prayer pattern

In Ephesians, Philippians And Colossians

Pattern 1 Paul prays for the saints.

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Pattern 2 There is a purpose in that prayer.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Pattern 3 What Paul expected in that prayer.

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Paul prays for the saints to be built up in their faith so that they can be function as his body, the body of Christ, not only here but out in the ages to come!

Paul expected that as the believer was educated, established and empowered that they would function properly as the living body of Christ.

This is what he prayed for and this is what he expected in his prayers. Therefore you and I need to be pray for what Paul prayed for. Strong believers, full of faith, empowered by the word of God and the Holy Spirit who are actively participating in what God is doing today.

See it again in his second prayer in Ephesians

Pattern 1 Paul prays for the saints.

Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Pattern 2 There is a purpose in that prayer.

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Pattern 3 What Paul expected in that prayer.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Let's see it again in Philippians

Pattern 1 Paul prays for the saints.

Phil 1:9a And this I pray,

Pattern 2 There is a purpose in that prayer.

Phil 1:9b … that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent;

Pattern 3 What Paul expected in that prayer.

… that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul prays for the saints to be built up in their faith so that they can be function as his body, the body of Christ, while here on this earth.

Paul expected that as the believer was educated, established and empowered that they would function properly as the living body of Christ.

Let's see it one more time in the book of Colossians

Pattern 1 Paul prays for the saints.

Col 1:9 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;

Pattern 2 There is a purpose in that prayer.

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Pattern 3 What Paul expected in that prayer.

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Paul prays for the saints to be built up in their faith so that they can be function as his body, the body of Christ, not only here but out in the ages to come!

Paul expected that as the believer was educated, established and empowered that they would function properly as the living body of Christ.

Conclusion

The Pauline Prayer Pattern clearly indicates that Paul…

Prayed for the saints - regularly, personally and intentionally

Prayed for the saints to be educated, edified and empowered by the word of God and the Holy Spirit in the inner man.

Expected the educated, edified and empowered saint would willingly be an active part of the body of Christ.

This is what grace is all about!

~ FINIS ~