Apostolic prayers are powerful examples of how early Christians sought God’s guidance, strength, and wisdom. These prayers reveal the desires of apostles for the spiritual growth of believers. They also teach us how to pray in line with God’s will. Studying these prayers helps deepen our understanding of faith, unity, and God’s purposes.
They serve as models for us today, offering insight into meaningful and effective communication with God. In this article, we’ll explore key apostolic prayers found in Scripture, highlighting their significance and application for believers.
Examples of Apostolic Prayers in the Bible
#1. Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:16-19)
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 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, 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (Ephesians 1:16-19)
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is focused on spiritual growth and enlightenment. He prays that they would receive wisdom and understanding from the Holy Spirit, allowing them to fully grasp the hope of their calling in Christ. By asking God to open the eyes of their hearts, Paul is calling for a deeper, more profound understanding of God’s promises and power. This knowledge is not just intellectual but transformative, as it leads to a stronger, more confident faith. Paul’s prayer underscores the importance of spiritual insight, reminding us that understanding God’s will and power is essential for living faithfully in Christ.
Paul also highlights the immeasurable greatness of God’s power available to believers. This power is not only for salvation but also for daily living, enabling Christians to navigate trials and stand firm in their faith. By praying for the Ephesians to understand this power, Paul emphasizes that faith is not passive but active, requiring us to rely on God’s strength for every aspect of our lives. His prayer serves as a model for us, encouraging us to seek deeper spiritual wisdom and awareness of God’s presence and power in our own lives.
#2. Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (Philippians 1:9-11)
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is centered on love—specifically, that their love would grow not only in quantity but also in depth and wisdom. He prays that their love would be rooted in knowledge and discernment, enabling them to make choices that honor God. By seeking excellence in love, they would live lives that reflect Christ’s character and bear fruit for His kingdom. This prayer emphasizes the importance of love as a foundation for spiritual maturity. Love, when combined with wisdom, leads to a pure and blameless life, which brings glory to God.
Furthermore, Paul prays that the Philippians’ love would result in righteousness, a key mark of Christian living. This righteousness is not self-made but comes through Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of staying rooted in Him. Paul’s prayer also looks forward to the day of Christ, when believers will stand before God. He desires for the Philippians to be blameless at that moment, having lived lives that honor God through loving actions and righteous choices. This prayer challenges us to evaluate how we love others and whether it reflects the depth and wisdom Paul describes.
#3. Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians (Colossians 1:9-12)
“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, 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. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:9-12)
Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is focused on spiritual growth through knowledge and strength. He prays that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, which would enable them to live lives worthy of the Lord. This knowledge isn’t just for intellectual understanding but is meant to lead to action—bearing fruit in every good work. Paul highlights that growing in knowledge of God leads to spiritual maturity, as believers learn to live in a way that pleases God and reflects His nature.
In addition, Paul prays for the Colossians to be strengthened with God’s power. This strength is not just for spiritual insight but also for endurance and patience in facing challenges. Paul emphasizes that this power, which comes from God, equips believers to live joyfully, even in difficult circumstances. He also expresses gratitude for God’s grace in qualifying them to share in the inheritance of the saints. This prayer reminds us that spiritual strength, endurance, and joy come from God and are key to living faithfully as believers.
#4. Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)
“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians centers on love and holiness. He prays that their love would grow for one another and for all people, reflecting the love that Paul and his companions had for them. This growing love is not just for the sake of the church but for all people, showing the broad reach of Christ’s love through His followers. Paul emphasizes that love, when rooted in Christ, leads to holiness and a blameless heart before God, especially as they anticipate Christ’s return.
The prayer also points to the importance of Christ’s second coming. Paul desires that the Thessalonians would be found blameless when Jesus returns with His saints. This prayer challenges believers to consider how they live now, knowing that love, holiness, and faithfulness are the marks of a true follower of Christ. It reminds us that the hope of Christ’s return should shape how we live and interact with others.
#5. Paul’s Prayer for the Romans (Romans 15:5-6)
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)
In this brief but powerful prayer, Paul asks God to grant unity and harmony among the believers in Rome. He prays that they would live in accord with Christ, meaning their lives would reflect His love and truth. Unity is crucial for the church’s witness, and Paul emphasizes that living in harmony allows believers to glorify God together. This prayer speaks to the power of collective worship and the importance of unity in the body of Christ.
Paul’s prayer also reveals the key to true unity: living in accordance with Christ. When believers are united in their purpose and faith, they reflect the unity between Christ and the Father. This harmony, grounded in Christ, leads to a powerful witness for the gospel. The prayer challenges us to consider how we contribute to unity within the church and whether our actions and attitudes reflect Christ’s love and truth.
#6. Peter’s Prayer for the Early Church (Acts 4:29-31)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
Peter’s prayer reflects the early church’s boldness in the face of persecution. Instead of asking for protection from threats, Peter prays for boldness to continue preaching the gospel with courage. He also asks God to perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus, validating their message and expanding their influence. This prayer underscores the church’s reliance on God for empowerment in their mission to spread the gospel, despite opposition.
God answers their prayer by shaking the place where they were gathered and filling them with the Holy Spirit. This divine response strengthens their resolve and emboldens their witness. The prayer shows that, even in the face of challenges, believers are called to continue proclaiming God’s word with boldness, trusting in His power to work through them.
#7. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17:20-23)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prays for the unity of all believers. He desires that they may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity reflects the perfect relationship between the Father and the Son and serves as a testimony to the world of Christ’s mission and love. Jesus’ prayer emphasizes that unity among believers is essential for the credibility of the gospel.
The prayer also highlights the sharing of glory between Jesus and His followers. The glory He received from the Father, He has passed on to them, so they can reflect that glory in their unity. This unity, grounded in love and shared purpose, becomes a powerful witness to the world of God’s love for humanity. Jesus’ prayer challenges us to pursue unity with one another, knowing that it is a key element in fulfilling His mission on earth.
Closing Thoughts
Apostolic prayers offer timeless guidance for the church, showing us how to pray with purpose and alignment to God’s will. These prayers reveal deep desires for spiritual growth, unity, love, and endurance among believers. They remind us that prayer is not only about asking but about seeking God’s wisdom, power, and strength to live faithfully.
As we reflect on these examples, we are called to model our own prayers after the apostles, trusting that God will empower us to live in a way that honors Him and advances His kingdom.