The Prayers of St. Paul

The title of the present series is a sufficient indication of its purpose. Few preachers, or congregations, will face the long courses of expository lectures which characterized the preaching of the past, but there is a growing conviction on the part of some that an occasional short course, of six or eight connected studies on one definite theme, is a necessity of their mental and ministerial life. It is at this point the projected series would strike in. It would suggest to those who are mapping out a scheme of work for the future a variety of subjects which might possibly be utilized in this way.

There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle. He was a man of action because he was first and foremost a man of prayer. To him both aspects of the well-known motto were true: "To pray is to labour," and "To labour is to pray."

There is no argument for or justification of prayer; nor even an explanation. It is assumed to be the natural and inevitable expression of spiritual life. Most of the Apostle's prayers of which we have a record are concerned with other people rather than with himself, and they thus reveal to us indirectly but very really what St. Paul felt to be the predominant needs of the spiritual life.

In this series of studies we propose to look at some of these prayers, and to consider their direct bearing upon our own lives.

CONTENTS

I. Grace and Holiness

1 Thessalonians iii. 11-13

II. Consecration and Preservation

1 Thessalonians v. 23, 24

III. Approbation and Blessing

2 Thessalonians i. i. 11, 12

IV. Love and Peace

2 Thessalonians iii. 5, R.V.; 2 Thessalonians iii. 16

V. Knowledge and Obedience

Colossians i. 9-12

VI. Conflict and Comfort

Colossians ii. 1, 2

VII. Wisdom and Revelation

Ephesians i. 15-19

VIII. Strength and Indwelling

Ephesians iii. 14-19

IX. Love and Discernment

Philippians i. 9-11

Appendix