Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Beholding the Glory of God in Christ through Prayer

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthains 3:17-4:6

Characteristics in the Apostle Paul’s Prayers

1.  Prayer is the language of love prompted by faith: Eph. 1:15-16, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:3-4, Philemon 4-5

2.  Prayer involves our minds: Eph. 1:16, Eph. 3:18, 1 Cor. 14:15

3.  Prayer is Trinitarian: Eph. 1:17, Eph. 3:14-18, Eph. 2:18

4.  Prayer emphasizes the spiritual realm: Eph. 1:17, Eph. 3:16

–  Spiritual protection:  John 17:15

–  Spiritual growth:  John 17:17

–  Spiritual desire for fellowship:  John 17:24

5.  Prayer is impartial in its intercession: Eph. 1:15-16, Eph. 3:18

6.  Prayer flows from a Spirit-filled life: Eph. 1:16, Eph. 3:14-15, Eph. 5:18-21, Eph. 6:18, Jude 20-21

7.  Prayer and the Glory of God are inseparable: Eph. 1:17, Eph. 3:15-16, John 17:1-5