In my last writing, I dealt extensively with the meaning of Apostolic Prayers and whether there is a connection between prayer, fasting, and power.
Today, we will be looking into the Believers prayer. As we all know, there are different forms or types of prayer and it is important to note that it isn’t only Christians that pray, other religions pray also.
One of the reasons we pray is to engage the supernatural for help and to have fellowship with God the Father and other believers.
But, is there a right way for a believer to pray? Let’s carefully examine the scriptures for this answer.
REVELATION OF OUR IDENTITY
The Christian life begins with the revelation of our identity in Christ and that is knowing who we are in the Scriptures.
All we do is within the parameters of God’s character or proper scriptural interpretation, if we miss this, then we will be tossed about with every wind of doctrine.
In my teaching on the Apostle’s prayer lifestyle, I stressed the fact that Christianity is Apostolic hence we can rely on the message and Prayer pattern of the early church as laid down in the Epistles.
Therefore, the prayers the Apostles laid down for us to be praying are what we call believers’ prayers.
The believers had their burdens or desires which informed the kind of prayers they prayed.
Their burdens or desires weren’t selfish motives but deep yearning for the gospel to lay hold on the earth, glorifying Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and his finished sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.
Below are some Believers Prayers recorded in the Epistles:
Ephesians 1:16, 17 and 18:
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: (KJV)
Here, Apostle Paul was praying that the believers in Ephesus, grow in the knowledge of God’s word by having their hearts flooded with light.
And when this happens, we will know how rich and glorious is God’s inheritance in the saints.
In the same Ephesians 4 vs 19, Paul went on to pray that the believer may understand the incredible greatness of God’s power – the same power that raised Jesus from the Dead.
Ephesians 3 vs 14 – 19:
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,
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.
This passage is part of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers. It emphasizes spiritual strength, Christ’s indwelling, the comprehension of God’s love, and being filled with God’s fullness.
Colossians 4:3-4: Paul encouraged the believers to pray for them, which means we should also pray this prayer for the Pastors in our local assembly.
They prayed concerning the work of ministry which is preaching of the gospel. They prayed for boldness and utterance to be able to preach the gospel as they ought to preach it.
Colossians 1:9-12:
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;
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:
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
These passages demonstrate Paul’s consistent prayer for believers, focusing on their spiritual growth, understanding of God’s will, and strength to live out their faith with the power of GOD.
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.
This verse above further reinforces the theme of apostles and church leaders consistently praying for believers, emphasizing spiritual maturity and alignment with God’s will.
The Apostles also taught the believers to pray concerning the hazards and oppositions in doing ministry.
They prayed for deliverance from wicked and unreasonable men (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 and Romans 15:30-32).
Though they faced much persecution from men, there was no prayer requesting their death as many believers do today.
It is an error to pray in the name of Jesus to kill or curse somebody for such doesn’t function within the parameters of his word or character.
God is a good and just God interested in saving all of man.
When we pray, we are simply agreeing with the word of God, exercising our authority over devils, and causing circumstances to be arranged according to God’s plan for our lives, work, and ministry.
Additionally, when you look at all these prayers explained in this devotional, you will notice that they are coined within proper bible interpretation or within the framework of God’s character in Christ Jesus.
If Jesus did not pray it, if the apostles did not pray it, and if it cannot be found in doctrinal explanations of the epistles, we cannot pray it because we are likely to be in error.
Join us for our next devotional on the prayer of John 17 and the Believers Prayer of Acts Chapter 4.
God bless you abundantly.
How to experience the Glory of God in your Life?
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
- Justification vs Righteousness - September 9, 2025
- What is Justification by Faith? - September 9, 2025
- What does it mean to be strong in the Lord - December 2, 2024