Renewing Our Prayer Lives: Praying with Purpose and Passion

Prayer is an essential aspect of our spiritual lives. It is a way for us to communicate with God, to seek His guidance, and to express our needs and desires. However, if we're honest, our prayer lives can sometimes fall into a rut. We find ourselves using the same phrases over and over again, and our prayers can become mindless and repetitive. In order to break out of this rut and invigorate our prayer lives, we need to take deliberate steps to renew our discipline and passion for prayer.

Prayer is not just a casual conversation with God; it is a powerful tool in the spiritual battle that we are engaged in. In his book "Let the Nations Be Glad," John Piper argues that prayer is like a wartime walkie-talkie, connecting us to our General in Command Central. God is not a butler waiting to fulfill our every desire; He is a mighty General, leading us in the fight of faith. Therefore, when we pray, we should align ourselves with His purposes and seek to bring glory to His name.

To help us pray with more purpose and passion, Piper suggests looking to the prayers of the early church. These prayers are recorded in the New Testament and provide us with a template for praying in line with God's will. By praying what the early church prayed for, we can have confidence that our prayers are aligned with God's plan and that He will hear and answer them.

One of the first things the early church prayed for was the exaltation of God's name in the world. They understood that God's name is holy and worthy of praise, and they sought to honor Him through their prayers. Jesus Himself taught His disciples to begin their prayers with the words, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). When we pray, we should start by acknowledging and praising God for who He is.

The early church also prayed for the extension of God's kingdom in the world. They longed to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). They understood that God's kingdom is not limited to a physical location, but is a spiritual reality that is established in the hearts of believers. When we pray, we should ask God to advance His kingdom and to use us as instruments of His will.

Another prayer of the early church was for the gospel to spread and be honored. They recognized the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring salvation to the lost. The apostle Paul often asked for prayer in this regard, saying, "Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1). We too should pray for the gospel to be proclaimed and received with open hearts.

The early church also sought the fullness of the Holy Spirit. They understood the importance of being empowered by the Spirit in their ministry and daily lives. Jesus Himself promised that the Father would give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). When we pray, we should ask God to fill us afresh with His Spirit, that we may be empowered to live and serve in His name.

In addition to these prayers, the early church prayed for a variety of other needs and concerns. They prayed for the vindication of God's people in their cause, for the salvation of unbelievers, for boldness in proclamation, for signs and wonders, for the healing of the sick, for the casting out of demons, for miraculous deliverances, for the raising of the dead, for the provision of necessities, for strategic wisdom, for the establishment of leadership, for the sending out of missionaries, for the success of other missionaries, for unity and harmony, for encouragement, for a mind of discernment, for a knowledge of God's will, for a deeper sense of God's love, for a deeper sense of assured hope, for strength and endurance, for greater faith, for protection from temptation, for the forgiveness of sins, and for protection from the evil one.

All of these prayers are grounded in the truth of God's Word and are in line with His purposes. As we study and meditate on these prayers, we can gain a deeper understanding of what it means to pray in alignment with God's will. We can also find inspiration and encouragement to persevere in prayer, knowing that our prayers have the power to shape nations, transform lives, and bring about God's purposes on earth.

In conclusion, prayer is a vital aspect of our spiritual lives. It is not a mere ritual or a passive activity; it is a powerful tool that connects us with our Heavenly Father and aligns us with His purposes. By studying and praying the prayers of the early church, we can learn how to pray in line with God's will and experience the transformative power of prayer in our lives and in the lives of others. So let us not neglect this amazing privilege and responsibility, but let us continue to pray with passion, perseverance, and faith, knowing that our prayers are heard and answered by our loving and sovereign God.