Can I ask you a personal question:
How’s your prayer life?
If you’re like me, perhaps you have good days and bad days – days when prayer comes easily and often, and days when prayer is a struggle.
I find comfort in Paul’s description of Epaphras: “He is always wrestling in prayer for you” (Colossians 4:12). It’s good to know that I’m not the only one for whom prayer can be like a wrestling match.
Intercessory prayer — praying for other people — can be the type of prayer that requires the most self-discipline. The Apostle Paul is a good example for help in this regard. And Philippians 1:3-11 is a great passage to study to learn how to pray for other believers.
6 Characteristics of Effective Intercessory Prayer
#1 – A Sincere Thankfulness
“I thank my God every time I remember you” (v. 3). This is a wonderful way to begin praying for another Christian – by expressing gratitude. Before we ask God to do anything for anyone, we simply offer a sincere “thank you” for this person. The next time you pray for someone, start by offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. “Thank you, Lord, for my friend (or spouse or child or Pastor or whoever). Thank you that I have the privilege of knowing him (or her) and being in a relationship with him.”
#2 – A Genuine Joy
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” (v. 4). Paul got much pleasure from the Christian fellowship he had with believers. When he prayed for people, his heart was filled with gladness. Prayer was no easier for him than for us, yet he found reason to rejoice when he approached the throne of grace. When you pray for other believers, what brings a smile to your face as you think about the person you are praying for? Take time for communicate that joy and gladness to your heavenly Father. He would love to hear how someone He loves makes you happy!
#3 – A Shared Faith
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel” (v. 4-5). Here we find out why Paul experiences pleasure when he prays for other Christians – by praying for them, he is reminded of their faith in Christ, and this is the source of his gratitude and joy. These people came to Christ through Paul’s ministry, and now, some 10 years later, he can take much comfort in knowing that the Philippian believers have persevered on the path of discipleship and are still following Jesus. That is why Paul can say with confidence, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (v. 6). This, too, should be the cause of our thanksgiving and gladness when praying for believers — we share a common faith in Christ and are united in our love for Him. Paul is rejoicing because “all of you share in God’s grace with me” (v. 7). What could be more precious than that?
When praying for your Christian friend, take time to reflect on the glorious truth that you have a unique bond with this person. You are interceding for your spiritual brother or sister before our heavenly Father!
#4 – A Heart of Affection
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart . . . God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (v. 7-8). Paul’s prayers were not a ritualistic formality, just another item on a busy man’s To Do List. Rather, they were an expression of his deep love for the Philippians. He was their spiritual father and even though he could not be with them in person, they lived in his heart every day. The word “affection” (NIV) can be literally translated “inward parts” (NASB). The Apostle missed them dearly and his prayers were the natural outflow of the tender feelings he had for them.
#5 – A Focus on Spiritual Growth
“And this is my prayer . . .” (v. 9). Now we come to the specific requests of Paul’s prayer. I am always amazed at the content of Paul’s prayers. He rarely, if ever, mentions physical needs. Rather, his focus is on spiritual growth, personal holiness, and living a life of love for God and His people. For the Philippians, Paul pleads with God “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (v. 9-11). Wow! If you have never prayed a prayer like that for another believer, why not start doing so today? Use Paul’s words and make them your own. Ask God to give your Christian friend the love, knowledge, insight, purity, blamelessness and righteousness that can only come from Jesus. What we are asking God to do is to sanctify our believing friend – that God would make him/her more and more like Jesus.
Wouldn’t you like another Christian to pray this prayer for you? Of course you would. All the more reason to pray this prayer for your Christian friends.
#6 – A God-Centered Purpose
“To the glory and praise of God” (v. 11). Paul concludes his prayer by reminding us of the ultimate purpose of his prayer – that God would be glorified and praised. Think about it: do you think God wants us to pray for the sanctification of other believers? Do you think God would like to answer such a prayer? And if He does, who gets the praise and glory for that? He does! Yes, we can only become more like Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit, who produces His fruit in us so we can live a God-fearing, Christ-pleasing life. And the end result is that we see the work He has done in us and exclaim, “Praise you, Father, for doing a work in us that only you can do. You are renewing our minds and conforming us to the image of your Son, so that your power is displayed and your greatness is exalted.”
This is how Paul prayed for the Philippians. This is how we should pray, too, when interceding for our fellow believers.
You don’t have to be an Apostle to pray like one.
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