PART 4 PRAYER

PART 4 PRAYER

CHAPTER 4

What Should Be the Focus of Prayer?

 A. Should It Be Centered on What We Pray for?

I think for many in the church what is prayed for is probably considered the key aspect of prayer. Should it be? Many would say yes, because they don’t have any other reason to say that this should not be so. Here is something for you to think about. If the focus of prayer should be on what is prayed for, then this intimates that God hears whatever it is that we bring before Him. Right? Does God hear every prayer request? If the answer is yes, then all that is left for Him to determine is whether He will answer the request. If the answer is no, then why not?

     The reason why God doesn’t answer our prayers is because in some cases he doesn’t even hear them. This doesn’t mean that he is deaf, but what it does mean is that it has something to do with the heart attitude, the motive behind the prayer. By the way, this was the case for both the Old and New Testament saints.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

     Psalms 66:18 says that if I am aware of iniquity (worldly thoughts, corrupt desires, and iniquitous purposes²⁸) in my life, but am unwilling to confess and forsake them, then God will not hear (answer; listen to) my prayer.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

     James 4:3 says, when we ask for certain things in prayer, and they are not granted by God the reason for His response is because these requests are asked from wrong motives with a view toward self-indulgence and carnal gratification²⁹.

     The key aspect of prayer is not what we pray for, but whether our mental attitude, speech, or actions are godly. Before you pray to God the Father you should simply be self-reflective of your thoughts, words, and actions. If you are aware that you have been occupied with worldly thoughts or have engaged in carnal speech or have committed an ungodly action toward someone, then confess (admit wrong) to God the Father. For any inappropriate action toward someone, you should also confess this fault to the person you have offended.

 

As we build ourselves up according to God’s perspective of us something happens to our prayers as revealed in the book of Jude.

Praying in the Holy Ghost

Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

The apostle John was speaking to the divinely loved ones, instructing them to build themselves up (establish themselves more firmly) in the most holy faith (in the belief of the doctrines). Another way to say this is, if the believers were to choose to build up themselves in all that God had done for them in salvation, they would become partakers of the divine nature. With this in mind, he concludes by saying, “praying in the Holy Ghost” meaning that if you follow my advice your prayers will be motivated and empowered by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

     Prayer should not be based on just what is prayed for, but on our responsibility to build ourselves up with the result being that we will be motivated and empowered by the Spirit. If this is indeed the case in our walk with God now, we are ready to try to answer this question, what should we pray for when we pray?

     Before we take a look at this, I want you to consider a couple of thoughts. I wonder how many of us when we have prayed have asked God for a healing or financial assistance? I know I have. I’m not saying this is wrong. I believe that as long as we are rightly related to God, when we pray, we can ask for these things. However, what I would like you to consider is that I’m sure our fellow believers in the early church had these same concerns. What were their prayers centered on?

     We will initially look at what Jesus prayed for while He was on earth. Should what He prayed for be what we should pray for? Before we draw a conclusion, let’s find out what He prayed for. 

 

B. When Jesus prayed, what did he pray for?

We will begin by taking a brief look at some of the earlier sections that we looked at when we were asking when, how often, and how long did Jesus pray for? If we were to look at any new scripture sections, then we will add them to the end of this list.

 

Jesus prayed to the Father three times for the same thing, when He was in Gethsemane? What did He pray for?

Gethsemane

Suggested Reading: Matthew 26:36-45

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44)

Jesus was in Gethsemane with his three disciples. He separated Himself from them and prayed to the Father three times with the same request. What did he pray for? He prayed that if it were possible to let this cup pass from him. Some suggest that he was asking the Father if there was any way out of going to the cross. I don’t believe this was the case.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:43-44)

     What was taking place in the Garden of Gethsemane was an intense spiritual battle. Satan and his demonic hosts were trying to infiltrate Jesus mind and affect his physical well-being with the intention of preventing him from going forward in the Father’s plan. His physical condition of sweating great drops of blood coincided with great emotional stress. The cup of suffering that he was asking the Father to remove was actually a request to provide for Him divine assistance so he could make it through this bombardment of evil projections. The scriptures indicate that Jesus prayer was answered. An angel arrived on the scene and provided Him with divine refreshment. 

 

Jesus prayed to the Father when he was on the cross? Did He pray for vengeance upon those who put him there?

Then said Jesus:

Suggested Reading: Luke 23:33-46  

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)  

Jesus was placed on a cross, sentenced to die for blasphemy, claiming to be someone, who according to the Jews, he was not. While on the cross He prayed to the Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)

     This is similar to the prayer that the deacon Stephen made, when he was being stoned by the Jews. If we were to put these thoughts together then to “forgive” means (to give up a debt; to not impute sin so as to exact punishment). This prayer was made to God the Father to forgive those, who were guilty, albeit in ignorance of not knowing who He was in putting Him to death.

 

Why did Jesus say to Peter that he prayed for him?

I prayed for thee:

Luke 22:31-32

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The disciples became aware that one of them would betray Jesus. They were also made aware of a future kingdom, where there would be thrones. This caused them to wonder, which of them would be the greatest, be given the highest position in this kingdom. During this time, Jesus spoke to Peter and told him that Satan has desired to have all of the disciples by putting them through difficult times.

     As for Peter, Jesus said that he had prayed for him that his faith would not perish. He let him know that in the not so distant future he would betray Him three times, but also reminded him to not despair, because eventually he would be converted (turned around; restored). When that happens, He urged him to go forward and strengthen (stablish) the brethren.

 

 In the book of Matthew, Jesus provided the disciples instructions as to what they should pray for.

Pray for them:

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Jesus was teaching his disciples. One of things he said to them in regard to prayer was that when they are despitefully (to injure by prosecution in law; to wantonly and unjustly accuse, and to injure in any way³⁰) used and persecuted (religious persecution; repeated injurious acts) by others, they should pray (that the wicked should return to a sound mind; that they may not perish; that they endeavor to promote their salvation³¹) to God the Father for the perpetrators.

                    

Jesus is instructing seventy men as to what they should pray to the Father for.

Sent them two by two:

Luke 10:1-2

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

     Jesus is sending out 70 men to go into the cities and villages letting them know of His coming and kingdom. He asked them to pray to the Lord (the master of the crop; the owner of the crop on the fields who is responsible for the harvesting³²) for more laborers to join them.

 

The final prayer we will look at is one of the most beautiful prayers of Jesus that he made to the Father for the 12 apostles.

For them thou hast given me:

Suggested Reading: John 17:6-15

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:6, 9, 13, 15)

Jesus was celebrating the Passover with the 12 apostles. In this account, he engages in a dialogue with them. As they heard him talk in parables, some of them asked him if he could simply talk plainly so they could understand what he was saying. At some point while Jesus is in their midst, He prayed to God the Father on their behalf.

     What he said in effect was this. Father you have used me to reveal to these 12 men a total revelation of you in the ministry you have given me. I pray for them that they might have my joy (which comes from transformation, answered prayer, and the word) realized in their life. I also pray that you wouldn’t remove them out from the world when they are going through trials and persecutions, but that you would give them grace (assistance; divine strength) so that may be able to: endure trials and be sustained amidst them; resist temptation; remain faithful and not apostatize; trust in your protection while they witness for me; and stand against the influences of the evil one, the Devil.

     Here is a brief recap of what Jesus prayed for or what he instructed others to pray for.

~ Jesus prayed to the Father in Gethsemane for assistance in this intense spiritual battle, whose design was to impact Him both mentally and physically so that he would be unable to go forward in the Father’s plan. His request was answered in the form of an angel, who arrived on the scene and provided him with divine refreshment. Matthew 26:36-45

~ Jesus prayed to God the Father to forgive (to give up a debt; to not impute sin so as to exact punishment) those, who were guilty, albeit in ignorance, of not knowing who He was in putting Him to death. Luke 23:33-46  

~ Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith fail not regardless of the soon to be decision by him to betray Him three times. He encouraged him by letting him know that he will eventually be restored and be used by Him to strengthen (stablish) the brethren. Luke 22:31-32

~ Jesus was instructing his disciples letting them know that the time will come when they will be unjustly accused or persecuted in a court of law for their faith. When this happens, they should pray not only to God the Father that He not punish them, but that also the attackers might return to a right mind so that they might respond favorably to the salvation offered to them. Matthew 5:44

~ Jesus was asking those, who were being sent out to make known His coming and kingdom to those people residing in the city and everywhere else, to pray to the Father for more laborers to join them. Luke 10:1-2

~ Jesus prayer to God the Father for the apostles was twofold. First, was so that they might have His joy (which comes from transformation, answered prayer, and the word) realized in their life. Second, that He would give them grace (assistance; divine strength) so that they would be able to: endure trials and be sustained amidst them; resist temptation; remain faithful and not apostatize; trust in your protection while they witness for me; and stand against the influences of the evil one, the Devil. Luke10:1-2

     That was interesting. Do you think that our prayers for ourselves or others should be reflective of those we just looked at?

     In the next and final sub-section, we will look at what was prayed for by those, who were in the assembly of the early church. I think that this will be eye opening both for you and for me. Hopefully, when this is done, we will have available to us a rich portfolio of prayer requests that we should not only become familiar with, but utilize when we present ourselves before the Father in prayer.

 

C. What did those who were in leadership or in the assembly of the early church pray for?

I am really looking forward to this aspect of the study. Don’t get me wrong all of it has been enlightening. So, what do you think the early church prayed for? I think this will surprise you and me.

 

The early church prayed for Peter for eight days. What were they praying for?

Peter was in prison:

Suggested Reading: Acts 12:1-23

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)

Peter was put in prison by King Herod with the certainty of going to trial and being put to death. His trial and subsequent sentence was on hold until after the Jews observed the two feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread. The church prayed to God earnestly for his release. God answered their prayer by sending an angel to release him from his bonds and lead him out of the prison undetected on the last day of the feast.

 

The apostle Paul was praying for a dear friend, who was one of the leaders of the early church, throughout the day. What was he praying for?

I have remembrance of thee:

Suggested Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

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; Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:3, 6, 8)

Paul in his letter to Timothy let him know that he was praying for him at various times throughout the day. His prayer consisted of recalling to his mind Timothy’s unfeigned (sincere; unhypocritical) faith. In conjunction with this that Timothy would continue to stir up (keep blazing) the gift (of administration, presiding over the affairs of the local church³³) of God, and not be ashamed of speaking about the testimony (teachings) of the Lord nor of even (Paul) himself (whose behavior was considered unacceptable to society).

 

Some in the Corinthian Church were questioning Paul’s credentials as an apostle. Paul decided to pray for them. What did he pray for?

Since you seek a proof:

Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.   

The apostle Paul was addressing the believers in Corinth, some of whom were seeking proof that Christ was speaking in him. Paul responded to them by saying that there are indeed evidences of Christ speaking in him. The first was that there were many in the Corinthian Church, who were converted to Christianity, because of their response to the gospel, which was presented to them by him. The second was that God evidenced his working through Paul by the demonstration and power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

     Paul, after supplying them with credible answers, asked them to ascertain their own spiritual condition as to whether they were living as Christians should live. In order to do this, he said that they should test or examine themselves as to their character, principles, and conduct.

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. (2 Corinthians 13:7-9)

     He follows this admonition by praying to God the Father that they would do no evil (do that which is right and seemly) so that they would be restored to their proper place³⁴, which by analogy means to set a broken bone or to adjust a twisted limb. 

 

Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers that the Father would give them two things.

What do you think these two things were?

Making mention of you:

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 1:15-20

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; 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: (Ephesians 1:15-17)

Paul was always giving thanks for the Ephesians mentioning them in his prayers. He prayed that God the Father would give them wisdom (revealed truth; spiritual realities) and revelation (of apprehending the revealed - of perceiving the drift and meaning of what God makes known³⁵ by the Holy Spirit) so that they would get to know Jesus personally and intimately.

 

Paul and Timothy are praying to God the Father for the Colossian believers that they would be equipped according to two things. I wonder what these are.

Do not cease to pray for you:

Suggested Reading: Colossians 1:9-11

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; (Colossians 1:9) 

     Paul and Timothy are praying to God for the Colossian believers that they would be fully equipped with a knowledge of Christ’s design, purpose, plan, and intention for their lives, which would be according to wisdom (knowledge of divine things) and understanding [spiritual insight which discriminates between the false and the true; of clear analysis and decision-making in applying this knowledge (of diving things) to various problems³⁶].

 

A person named Epaphras is praying for the Colossian believers for what reason?

Always laboring fervent for you:

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God .

Epaphras, a servant of Christ, is praying for the Colossians that they would not waver, but stand firm by maintaining their fully instructed and enlightened condition, and in being fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines, which have been taught to them, as the revealed will of God³⁷.

 

Three people are praying for the believers at Thessalonica. Let’s find out what they prayed for.

We pray always for you:

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

     Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are always praying for the Thessalonians’ believers that God would consider them worthy of their calling (that their life will come up to the standard expected of those who have been called of God to live in a very special way³⁸) by turning all of their good intentions into actions in which there would be perfected in them contentment and satisfaction so that everything thing they did would be motivated by faith in God and accomplished with His power.

 

Should we pray for safe travel?

Strive together with me:

Romans 15:30-31  

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Paul was on his way to Jerusalem bringing with him a financial offering to the destitute saints, who were living there. He is asking the believers at Rome to pray for him in two areas of concern: for safe travel from the unbelieving Jews, who resided in Judea, and for acceptance by the Christian Jews for the financial contribution, which might otherwise be looked at as a bribe in return for which Paul's opposition to the law would be condoned³⁹.

 

What should we pray for, when there are obstacles in bringing forth the word of God to others?

Pray for us:

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Paul is asking the believers at Thessalonica to pray for himself, Silvanus, and Timothy so that they would be delivered from opposition in their attempts to spread the gospel. This opposition would be from those who: will not listen to arguments, not being under discipline; do not have the right view of things; act agreeably to the disorderly and unreasonable impulse of their own minds having bad aims and purposes; have not the Christian faith. 

  

Paul is asking the Colossians to pray for God to open up a door. What does this word refer to?

Withal praying for us:

Colossians 4:2-4

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Paul is asking the believers at Colossee to pray for both himself and Timothy that God would open up a door of occasion, opportunity, or entrance, for the doctrine of the Gospel⁴⁰ to be able to be declared.

 

In the passages, which we will look at next, prayer is mentioned using four words, each of which relate to the different types of it.

Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks:

1 Timothy 2:1-4

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Paul is giving instruction to Timothy strongly recommending that supplications (something definite is asked; petitions having to do with one's personal needs as they are related to the government under which he lives⁴¹), prayers (the general word for prayer), intercessions (for conversions; prayers offered for another), and expressing gratitude for blessings or benefits, be made for all men, for kings, and all that are in authority so that we may lead a life which is quiet (freedom from outward disturbance or persecutions) and peaceable (freedom within; calmness) showing great devotion and reverence (or, respect) for God, and behaving in a right and proper way before other people⁴².

 

When we pray, whether in adversity or prosperity or in whatever manner of prayer, make sure when we ask God for help that we are in communion with the Spirit.

Praying always:

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Paul is instructing the Ephesians believers that they should pray always (in adversity as well as prosperity; in every temptation and spiritual conflict⁴³) by means of any kind of prayer (formal, silent, vocal, secret, etc.) with supplications (to ask for God’s help; strong and incessant pleadings, until the evil is averted, or the good communicated⁴⁴; an imploring request filled with heavenward longings and aspirations⁴⁵) while being directed and empowered by the Spirit.

If we find ourselves suffering in difficult situations, we can go to God in prayer with three requests in mind.

 

Let him pray:

Suggested Reading: James 5:10-13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (James 5:13)

If there is any member of the church, who is afflicted (suffering in difficult circumstances), then he/she should pray to God. The apostle Paul used this word “afflicted” to describe the circumstances he was in as he suffered for the Gospel's sake (2 Timothy 2:9). As God's people go through life, they often must endure difficulties that are not the result of sin or the chastening of God. What should we do when we find ourselves in such trying circumstances?⁴⁶ We should pray to God. For what? It doesn’t say.

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. (James 5:10)

     What the verses talk about prior to this is that there are those, the prophets, who are an example (model; pattern) of suffering affliction (hardship; ill-treatment) with patient endurance (the one restraint from retaliating, the other not easily succumbing⁴⁷). The idea being conveyed seems to be that when affliction comes, we should exemplify the same life as the prophets. So, what should we pray to God for? I believe we should ask him for His perspective and power to see things through.

     Well there it is. Have you learned a lot about what we should pray for when we pray? We have covered a lot of information in regard to the topic of prayer. After providing a condensed summary below of what should a believer pray for, I would like to provide for you in the next chapter another condensed summary of all of which has been covered in this study. I hope that you will use some of this information for your spiritual benefit. Please read the condensed summary below and then proceed onward.

~ Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers that God the Father would give them wisdom (revealed truth; spiritual realities) and revelation (of apprehending the revealed - of perceiving the drift and meaning of what God makes known⁴⁸ by the Holy Spirit) so that they would get to know Jesus personally and intimately. (Ephesians 1:15-20)

~ Paul and Timothy are praying for the Colossian believers that they would be fully equipped with a knowledge of Christ’s design, purpose, plan, and intention for their lives, which would be according to wisdom (knowledge of divine things) and understanding [spiritual insight which discriminates between the false and the true; of clear analysis and decision-making in applying this knowledge (of diving things) to various problems⁴⁹]. (Colossians 1:9) 

~ Epaphras was praying for the Colossians that they would not waver, but stand firm by maintaining their fully instructed and enlightened condition, and in being fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught to them as the revealed will of God⁵⁰. (Colossians 4:12)

~ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are always praying for the Thessalonians’ believers that God would consider them worthy of their calling (that their life will come up to the standard expected of those who have been called of God to live in a very special way⁵¹) by turning all of their good intentions into actions in which there would be perfected in them contentment and satisfaction so that everything thing they did would be motivated by faith in God and accomplished with His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

~ Paul was asking the believers at Rome to pray for two areas of concern: for safe travel from the unbelieving Jews, who resided in Judea, and for acceptance by the Christian Jews for the financial contribution, which might otherwise be looked at as a bribe in return for which Paul's opposition to the law would be condoned⁵². (Romans 15:30-31)  

~ Paul was asking the believers at Thessalonica to pray for himself, Silvanus, and Timothy so that they would be delivered from opposition in their attempts to spread the gospel. This opposition would be from those who: will not listen to arguments, not being under discipline; do not have the right view of things; act agreeably to the disorderly and unreasonable impulse of their own minds having bad aims and purposes; have not the Christian faith. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

~ Paul was asking for prayer for both himself and Timothy that God would open up a door of occasion, opportunity, or entrance, for the doctrine of the Gospel⁵³ to be able to be declared. (Colossians 4:2-4)

~ Paul strongly recommended to Timothy that supplications (something definite is asked; petitions having to do with one's personal needs as they are related to the government under which he lives⁵⁴), prayers (the general word for prayer), intercessions (for conversions; prayers offered for another), and expressing gratitude for blessings or benefits, be made for all men, for kings, and all that are in authority so that we may lead a life which is quiet (freedom from outward disturbance or persecutions) and peaceable (freedom within; calmness) showing great devotion and reverence (or, respect) for God, and behaving in a right and proper way before other people⁵⁵. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

~ Paul was instructing the Ephesians’ believers that they should pray always (in adversity as well as prosperity; in every temptation and spiritual conflict⁵⁶) by means of any kind of prayer (formal, silent, vocal, secret, etc.) with supplications (to ask for God’s help; strong and incessant pleadings, until the evil is averted, or the good communicated⁵⁷; an imploring request filled with heavenward longings and aspirations⁵⁸) while being directed and empowered by the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:18)

~ When we are afflicted (suffering in difficult circumstances), we should pray to God for His perspective and power to see things through. (James 5:10-13)

     All I can say is, what beautiful prayers. They seem to be focused on salvation, divine protection, and spiritual growth for oneself and others. Wow!