Prayer Requests
Hebrews 13:18-21
Emmanuel Christian Church 1.18.26
INTRODUCTION: Prayer requests are popular! Some people see them as
a last ditch effort when all else fails- “All we can do now, is pray.” Other
people see prayer requests as the Christian “Get out of jail free” card-
whatever your pain or problem might be, all you have to do is pray about it
and it’ll be good! Still others see prayer as the penny you put into God’s
cosmic bubble gum machine- put the penny prayer in, God delivers the
gumball!
PROPOSITION: But what does the Scripture say about prayer- either by
direct statement or practical example? Now, those are GOOD
QUESTIONS!
First, Jesus Himself taught on the subject of prayer. Luke records
that lesson for us:
Luke 11:2 [Jesus] said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed
be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And
lead us not into temptation.’”
Now, that gets to the point! Praise, petition, confession and direction- all
great points for our prayers to God!
And notice this: Jesus said “WHEN” you pray, not “IF” you pray!
In the book of Acts, Luke also records for us the earliest habits of the first
century church:
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Now, one sermon on prayer is simply NOT enough to do justice to
everything Scripture has to say on the subject. However, as we conclude
our journey through the New Testament Book of Hebrews, we find
ourselves with the opportunity to consider the subject as we read our final
text:
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience
and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray
so that I may be restored to you soon.
Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his
will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
We leave the Book of Hebrews with four observations regarding prayer-
specifically, the matter of prayer requests. The first is that…
Prayer requests are PERSONAL
- This may seem like an obvious point (and it is), however, it begs an issue
we need to consider one more time relating to the Book of Hebrews:
who wrote it?
- The earliest evidence from the first century Church is that it was
written by the Apostle Paul.
- So, what’s the big deal? Well, a couple of things:
- First, the letter was issued anonymously. No where do we find the
words “I Paul…”
- Second, the style of Greek is NOT that of Paul’s other letters.
- So, what answers are there to those two observations?
- Why was the book of Hebrews anonymous? Possibly because Paul
himself offended the Jews, the very “Hebrews” to whom the letter
was intended to reach.
- First, although we know that Paul was himself a traditionally trained
Jewish lawyer- many of his fellow countrymen viewed him as a “sell-
out” to the Jewish faith when he became a Christian.
- Also, we know that God had called Paul to be the “Apostle to the
Gentiles” - not the Jews, and THAT offended many of his
countrymen!
- But, regardless of those things, Paul had a powerful burden for the
salvation of his fellow countrymen, and it could very well be that this
anonymous letter was ment to encourage those who were either
already Christian converts from Judaism, or who might be
considering making that move. So, his purpose in anonymity might
simply have been his desire to reach that Jewish audience.
- Listen to Paul’s own perspective on the Jews as he writes to the
Gentile Romans…
Romans 11:13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle
to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry 14 in the hope that I may
somehow arouse my own people (the Jews) to envy and save some of
them.
Romans 9:1 I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience
confirms it in the Holy Spirit — 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing
anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut
off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the
people of Israel.
- As to the second objection to Paul’s authorship (the style of Greek not
being that of Paul’s other letters), the second century church father,
Clement of Alexandria put forth the idea that the letter to the Hebrews
was originally written in Hebrew (duh) and then translated into the Greek
by the Apostle Luke (with which whose style of Greek it shares many
similarities).
APPLICATION: Why is this worth all that explanation? Two reasons, as
with all other Scripture, we need to have confidence that this is indeed the
authoritative Word of God from the pen of the inspired Apostle Paul. The
first century church had that confidence in the Letter to the Hebrews and
so do I. The second reason is far more simple- prayer requests ARE
PERSONAL, they give us insight to the people who make them. Which
brings me to our second observation…
Prayer requests reveal PRIORITIES
- Three popular items seem to head up the list of prayer requests: Health,
Wealth and Happiness.
- Those last two can really raise some eyebrows! Have you ever been
astounded (maybe even offended) by some of the things that people
ask prayer for?
- Wealth: pay-raise, car, house, boat, vacation, _________ (fill in the
blank)
- Happiness: from an “A” on the final exam to a “Yes” for a first date!
APPLICATION: Think about your own prayer-request list. What does it
have to say about you and your priorities?
That question leads me to my third observation…
Paul’s prayer requests for HIMSELF
- In our text for today, we have at least two things for which Paul asked
for prayer (we’ll get to those in a minute), but were there other times he
specifically asked for prayer? Yes! It’s actually interesting to note that
none of the other Apostolic authors of the New Testament ask for prayer
for themselves- only Paul. So what did he ask for?
- But before we answer that- consider this: even asking for prayer, Paul
recognized two very important things.
- First, in some way, he depended on the prayer support of his fellow
Christians.
- Second, Paul understood his complete dependence on the power of
God.
- So, what things DID Paul personally request prayer for?
Success in ministry…
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the
love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31
Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my
service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by
God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
Right words & courage…
Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words
may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the
gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may
declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Open doors to ministry…
Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our
message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in
chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Spread of the Gospel…
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the
Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And
pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone
has faith.
- Specifically in our text, Paul prayed for two things: integrity in his own
ministry and restored fellowship with his Hebrew brethren.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience
and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to
pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
The only record we have that Paul ever prayed a prayer of self-interest is
when he asked God three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh”- a
request to which God replied with the answer “No.”
2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of
these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my
flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with
the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I
will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power
may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.
APPLICATION: We would do well to learn from Paul’s example in setting
our own priorities for prayer. Trusting God’s grace, focused on others,
desiring the advance of God’s kingdom and Gospel above all else! Sold
out and surrendered! That’s how Paul prayed!
Which leaves us with one final example to consider…
Paul’s prayer requests FOR the HEBREWS
Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his
will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- These are words of “benediction”, literally “good words” with which he
closes his letter to the Hebrews.
- In all actuality, they are Paul’s prayer requests to God for THEM. Let’s
take a closer look…
- His prayer actually begins with PRAISE to God for who He IS (the
God of peace) and for what He has DONE (raising Christ from the
dead). Remember how Jesus said we should start our prayers: “Our
Father in heaven, HALLOWED be your Name…”?
- Paul’s prayer for the Hebrews is twofold:
- That God’s spiritual gifting would EQUIP THEM to do His will, and
- That His power would WORK THROUGH THEM- be pleasing in His
sight and bring glory to His Name.
APPLICATION: As we conclude our consideration of Paul’s letter to the
Hebrews, and as I conclude my pulpit ministry with you, I offer those same
requests before God on your behalf.
Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his
will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
