In today’s podcast, we are going to talk about the high value of praying for one another. We need to home in on this and give it the due place in our lives. You know we pay a lot of lip service to the notion of praying for one another. The words ‘pray for me’ or ‘I’m praying for you brother’ are part of our Christian-ese vocabulary. For people in the church world, it’s the thing to say. I mean you wouldn’t dare say that you weren’t going to pray for someone, would you? But when those words leave your lips, do you actually execute and lift your voice to God? That intercession is a great and necessary part of Christian devotion is very evident from Scripture. The first Jesus followers showed their love by mutually praying for one another. Paul, whether he’s writing a letter to a church [a group of people] or addressing an individual shows that his intercession for them is perpetual. It was this holy intercession that raised Christians to such a high level of love and development. When this same spirit of intercession is yielded to by Jesus followers, when Christianity has the same power over the hearts of people that it then had, this holy friendship will again be in fashion, and Christians will be again the wonder of the world.¹ Why It’s Vital to Pray for One Another, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Why God Wants You to Have Spiritual Revelation Flowing In Your Life

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Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
This week’s call is:

Take up the spiritual discipline of praying for one another.

Join the Conversation

Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
This week’s question is:

Question: How do you pray for others? Share how you engage in this in the comments section below.

Episode Resources:

We are currently teaching in the book of First Thessalonians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

1. #S10-018:How to Start a Power-Packed Effective Church: Lessons from Thessaloniki
2. #S10-017: How the Breath of God Inspired the Writing of First Thessalonians [Podcast]

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 45 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 40 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate it on Stitcher Radio and leave a review. If you have a suggestion for a Bible topic, you would like to see taught, or if you have a question, please e-mail me at emery@emeryhorvath.com

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Podcast Notes

Praying for One Another: Lessons from the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, 9 (ESV) — 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ… 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

The Importance of Praying for One Another

• There are two activities that Paul and company continually engaged in for the believers of the Thessalonian church.
• Paul details these two areas in verse two.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers

• Paul gave thanks for the believers in this church and he/they prayed for them.
• Giving thanks for — and praying for.
• Now connected to these two actions, are two words that describe the frequency by which they engaged in these two actions.
• The word ‘always’ and the word ‘constantly.’
• Paul said,’ We give thanks to God always for all of you.’
• Paul said, ‘We constantly mention you in our prayers.’
• Giving thanks for — and praying for.
• Let’s take a look at these two words ‘always’ and ‘constantly’.
• Of course, the word ‘always’ is easy to understand.
• It means just that — it means always or all the time.
• The word constantly is the one want to look at closer and, with that thought, here is the Definition of the Day.
• The word ‘constantly’ means without ceasing, continuously, incessantly, or by unvarying practice.
• It means all the time — it means without quitting, laying down, or stopping.
• We should give thanks and pray for one another — Paul said we should all do this — that’s what he said — ‘all of you’ — without quitting, laying down, or stopping.
• ‘All of you means’ everybody in the church.
• If we are doing this, always means there is no one left out.
• All members of the body are equal — we all need to be thankful for every brother or sister in our midst.
• We all need to pray for every brother or sister in our midst.
• There is no distinction.
• A fellow Jesus follower may be doing well, and growing or not — there is no difference.
• Be thankful for one another and pray for one another.

Praying for One Another and the Soldiers Creed

• The words ‘no one left behind’ is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of individual Marines in America’s armed forces.
• ‘If you see a fellow Marine in need of help, step up and step in’ is what they teach.
• Leave ‘no one behind.’
• And with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.
• The Quote of the Day is from some of the training that the United States uses to get their soldiers combat-ready.
• It’s called ‘The Soldiers Creed.’
• Do you know what a Creed is?
• It’s a belief or an expression of faith.
• A creed is a doctrine, teaching, principle, tenet, or article of what you believe.
• Here is what the US military believes — here is its creed.
• Here is what they teach the troops.

I am an American Soldier
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

• What about the Christian Soldier in the Army of God?
• If he had a creed, a doctrine, teaching, principles, tenets, or articles of faith and belief, what would it sound like?
• Here is a possible example.

I am a Jesus follower I am a Warrior and a member of the body of Christ.
I put on the whole armor of God.
I serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and I live Godly Values.
I will always place the will of God first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen believer behind nor judge them because they fell.
I am disciplined spiritually and have a renewed mind.
I am tough, trained, and proficient in the realm of the Spirit.
I always maintain my inner man.
I am an expert at all things righteous for I am in Him.
I stand ready to go into all the world, engage, and destroy every devil, demon, and evil spirit in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom, the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.
I am a Jesus follower.

• Repeating this again.
• All members of the body are equal — we all need to be thankful for every brother or sister in our midst.
• Whether they are doing well or not doing well — there is no distinction.
• No one left behind.
• We thank God for them — we pray for them, period.
• Here it is in scripture.

Galatians 6:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,

• Transgression is sin.
• What is this saying? — if a brother is caught up in sin — what does the scripture tell us to do?
• Get mad at them — be ugly towards them — turn your back on them — don’t let them get near you because you are so holy?
• No.

you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

• In a gentle spirit, restore people who have sinned.
• Doing this kind of stuff is what separates the saints from the sinners.
• No one should be left behind in prayer.
• We should always thank God for each believer’s unique gifts.
• You often pray for me before we start class, and I appreciate that.
• But, do you do that with the same intensity for one another?
• This group of three prayed for this church and they did it always.
• Paul said, ‘We give thanks to God ‘constantly mentioning’ you in our prayers.’

Praying for One Another: A Two-Way Street

• So, Paul tells the Thessalonians that he’s praying for them.
• But that’s not the whole story because in chapter five Paul says the following to the same church.

1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV) — 25 Brothers, pray for us.

• So praying for one another is not a one-way street.
• Everyone needs to be active in this.
• Paul says I’m praying for you but I need you to pray for me as well.
• This is not just humility — it’s a ‘how it works’ piece.
• You see this all over the epistles.

Praying for One Another in Ephesians

Ephesians 1:15–23 (ESV) — 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of [revelation] in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

• So Paul is praying for the Ephesians that they would get smart in the things of God — that they would get a spirit of wisdom and revelation from heaven.
• There are certain things that they need to know.
• There are certain things that you need to know.
• Then in chapter three – Paul is praying again.
• Now what’s unique about Ephesians is that Paul actually lets you in on what is praying — not just the fact that he is praying.
• Look at Ephesians 3:14.

Ephesians 3:14–19 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

• Here Paul is praying for the believers in Ephesus not just that they acquire spiritual smarts, but he also prays that God would give them strength to comprehend the love of God.
• In both of these areas, you can and should pray for one another.
• So, we have this established — Paul is praying FOR the Ephesians.
• That brings us to Ephesians Six.

Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) — 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

• Now, Paul tells them that they need to stand having put on the armor of God.
• Drop down to verse seventeen.

Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) — 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

• So, Paul says I am praying for you.
• You pray for ALL saints.
• So no one’s left behind.
• But then comes four remarkable words.

19 AND ALSO FOR ME, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

• Pray also for me.
• Now wait a minute Paul – you know how to pray — you understand righteousness and what it means to have right standing with God.
• You understand how to believe God — your the one that wrote…

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidences of things not seen.

• Paul, you are the one that told us that…

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

• Paul, why are you asking that someone prays for you when you know how to pray for yourself?
• Because that’s how this is supposed to work.
• The power is in the ‘we’ not the ‘I.’
• And also, for me.
• What is Paul asking the Ephesians believers to pray about for him?
• Pray for utterance — in other words, pray that words be given to him and pray for boldness to declare those words — to speak them out as they should.
• The community of the first century was a ‘we’ community, not an ‘I’ community.
• It was a group mentality, not an individualistic mindset.
• You see this with the Thessalonians and now you see it with the Ephesians.
• But, this same principle is in other places as well.

Praying for One Another in Philippians

• What about in the city of Philippi?
• You see the same thing — first Paul praying for the believers there.

Philippians 1:8–11 (ESV) – 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

• The word abound is a keyword.
• It means to overflow, to have more than enough, to have a superabundance, to be excessive.
• Paul prayed that the love of God among the Philippians would reach superabundant levels.
• Sharon always tells me that she loves me all the time — every day — every single solitary day.
• One day she asked me ‘Do I tell you that I love you too much?’
• I told her “No, you don’t — you can’t say it enough.”
• Hearing those words impacts your spirit man.
• In fact, can I tell you that you can’t hear that God loves you enough?
• You need to embrace that and hear that and believe that.

1 John 4:16 (ESV) — 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

• You are the apple of His eye — you must know that.
• He thinks you are pretty cool.
• You cannot hear these thoughts enough.
• You cannot be excessive in loving people — telling them, showing them — you cannot go overboard in demonstrating the love of God.
• Paul prayed that the Philippians would have an overdose of love.
• That’s a prayer that you can pray.
• Add this to your prayer list when praying for others.
• Paul also prayed that the Philippians would abound in love with knowledge and discernment — that they would live life making good choices in the area of holiness and purity.
• Approve things that are excellent and live a blameless life, that’s a high thing indeed.
• If Paul prayed this for the Philippians, you can pray this for one another.
• But now, Paul is also in need of prayer.
• Paul is praying for the Philippians and he is expecting them to pray for him.

Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV) — 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear…

• Paul is not saddened because he is incarcerated.
• He’s rejoicing — he’s happy.
• Why is he happy?
• Verse nineteen tells us.

Philippians 1:19 (ESV) — 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

• I know that through your prayers this whole situation will be turned around.
• Paul has faith not in his ability to pray for himself.
• He has faith in the Philippians praying for him.
• What if someone forgets?
• What about the lady in Rhode Island?
• I told you about that lady — my daughter had a stroke and there was this lady in Rhode Island who prayed and interceded for her and I don’t even know this lady.
• I never met her.
• This lady was so burdened to pray that she took off from work just to pray for my daughter.
• I am talking about the extreme value there is in praying for one another.
• Can I tell you, I was super impressed by this because I never take off from work.
• It’s just the way I’m wired and my work ethic.
• So when I heard what this woman had done, my antenna went straight up.
• You understand that expression, I’m sure — my ears perked up in other words.
• You can think about what you like about this subject but here’s what I know.
• The doctors went in to look for the clot that caused the stroke in my daughter’s body and they couldn’t find it.
• The doctors tried three different times – three different MRI’s and there was no trace of any clot.
• Paul said I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, I will be delivered.
• We need to pray for one another.
• Do you see the value in this yet?
• So, we’ve seen this pattern of Paul praying for others and then the reverse pattern where Paul is asking that people pray for him.
• We’ve seen this now in three churches, Thessalonians, Ephesians, and Philippians.
• How about a fourth example?
• Would that cement this for you?
• Talking about Epaphras, A co-worker of Paul’s in establishing the Colossians church.

you?

Colossians 1:8–11 (ESV) — 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 [being strengthened with all power,] according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

• So, you again see some of the same elements as the previous churches.
• Paul ceases not to pray — he stays at it and with it.
• What’s Paul praying about?
• Here he prays that these believers would full understanding of the will of God in their lives.
• That’s a prayer that you can pray for one another.
• Having an understanding of the will of God leads to the next part — walking in a worthy manner before God.
• A right walk comes from a right understanding of where you are supposed to be walking — what you are supposed to be doing.
• The end result is that you are bearing fruit in every good work.
• Every good work according to His will that is.
• Notice Paul prays that the Colossians would increase in knowledge; he prays about the strength level of the Colossians as well.
• Praying for strength and knowledge are prayers that Paul prays for the other churches as well.
• We have already seen that.
• As we get ready to close, turn over to Colossians chapter four.

Colossians 4:2 (ESV) — 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

• The word steadfastly continues the same tone that we started and have seen throughout.
• The word steadfastly means to be devoted to.
• It carries with it the idea of persisting in or being busily engaged in something.
• Now comes the switch.

Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV)— 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison — 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

• “I’m praying for you now pray for me.”
• Now here’s the final question — and I hope this provokes some thought.
• How much of what Paul did in his ministry was a result of other people heeding his words and praying for him?
• Paul did great work for God but he had help.
• We need one another.
• To build the Kingdom, we need to pray for one another.

Now Father God in the Name of Jesus, I pray for the listening audience. I pray that you would grant unto them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. Let the eyes of their understanding be enlightened. Help them to know your perfect will for their lives and I pray that you would strengthen them to do all the plan that you have purposed for them. I thank you for doing that in Jesus Name, Amen.

• Why It’s Vital for Jesus Followers to Pray for One Another — you guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

How to Get to Be the Strong Man God Wants You to Be

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