Lesson 3
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom, knowledge, mercy, and grace. We pray for attentiveness and mindfulness. We pray for divine insight to understand scripture. We pray for obedience and faithfulness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Philemon: 4-7, Prayer for Philemon
V 4, I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
Paul prayed consistently, fervently, and persistently to God for Philemon mentioning him by name. Paul was a prayer warrior. He wrestled with the Lord in prayer every day. He remembered all his friends by name and interceded for them according to their needs. Even though Philemon was so far away, he still took the time to pray for him.
VV 5-6, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Paul was very encouraged to hear of Philemon’s love for the Lord and the saints, his faithful and effective evangelistic ministry in Collosae. Greek for saint is “hagios”, which means holy, sanctified, or separated for God. As Christians, we are saints, because we are holy, sanctified, and separated to serve God. We are a holy people and a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.
1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.
V 7, For we have great joy and consolation in your love because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Paul rejoiced when he remembered Philemon. He was refreshed when he remembered the times that he spent with Philemon in Ephesus. Greek for refreshed is “anapsucho”, which means relief. Even though Paul was under house arrest, he found joy, encouragement, comfort, and relief by Philemon’s love and faithfulness.
Application:
Paul was a great prayer warrior. Even though in chains, he spent times interceding for everyone. We are to emulate Paul to be a prayer warrior. We are to pray for all our immediate family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, church members, acquaintances, etc. mentioning them by name and interceding for them at a personal level.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us. We pray for the transformation of hearts and the renewal of minds. We give You permission to do spiritual heart transplants in us. We pray for renewed perspectives and a balanced worldview, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
