Praying with Paul

Passage1 Corinthians 3:16-20

PrayerDear Father, who loves to dwell with man,Thank you for dwelling within our spirits, for making us your holy temple!Help us not to be deceived or to deceive ourselves. Let us be seen as foolish to the world, let us be fools for you, that we may be truly wise. For the wisdom of the world is pure folly in your eyes.For it is written, \"He catches the wise in their craftiness,\" and \"The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.\" So don't...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 3:14-15

PrayerDear Father, designer of destiny,Even if I am not the best quality, you can save me myself - but I don't want to escape doom by a hairsbreadth. I want to fulfill all the potential you have placed within me and do all the good you have planned for me to do.Help me, Father, through the example of the Lord Jesus to be everything that you want me to be, to do everything you want me do, and to live my life at the peak of quality. Make all of us into what...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 3:9-13

PrayerDear Father, designer of destiny,Thank you for your concern for us. We are the field that you tend, the building that you build. You build us as living stones upon the one foundation, Jesus Christ. No other foundation is provided. No other is adequate.But Father, I am concerned. As I build on this foundation, and as I am built on it, may the quality of my life be such that it will survive the purifying fire of judgment. I don't want my life to be like...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 3:8-9

PrayerDear Father, growth-giving God,Both the planter and the waterer are equal and shall receive their wages according to their labor.But you give life! You are the giver of growth! Your servants are just fellow workers for you. Our allegiance is not to them but to you. We are your field, your building.Build us into a magnificent temple! Grow us into luxuriant plants! Show your creativity, your power, your wisdom, your bounty in us!In the name of Jesus, the...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 3:1-7

PrayerDear Father, growth-giving God,Help me to be a genuinely spiritual person in Christ. Let me grow beyond having to be fed like a baby on soft food and milk. May I strive for maturity so I will be able to digest solid food.Keep me from being jealous and full of strife, from acting as mere human beings act - carnal!Help me to understand the equality of all your servants, and not to put one above another, or to claim special discipleship to any!Help me to...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 2:14-16

PrayerDear Father, who gives us the mind of Christ,The natural person cannot understand us or you, or what you are doing in us, for these things are spiritually discerned, and he cannot receive your gifts.Natural people cannot judge us, but you enable us to judge everything. \"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?\" But we understand, for you have given us the very mind of Christ!How wonderful it is! How great and merciful you are...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 2:13

PrayerDear Father, giver of your wisdom,You have graciously imparted your wisdom to us. Thank you. You taught us not by words but by your Spirit, who interprets spiritual truths for those of us who believe.Only to those who live out your wisdom of the cross, who know the sweetness of true dedication to you, do you give understanding.Thank you for being our God, for giving us Jesus, for granting your Spirit to us, and for making us understand your purpose for...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 2:11-16

PrayerDear Father, giver of your Holy Spirit,All praises to your blessed name, to you, our God! You have disclosed incredibly wonderful things to us through your Spirit, for your Spirit searches everything, even the deep things within you.No one comprehends your thoughts except your Spirit, just as no other person truly knows my thoughts as my own spirit does.But, all thanks to you, we have not received the spirit of the world but you have given us your...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 2:6-10

PrayerDear Father, revealer of secret wisdom,Thank you for revealing to us what has been hidden, the wisdom which you decreed before the ages concerning our salvation and glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.Thank you, Father, that you intend to glorify us along with your Son, Jesus.But you, O gracious God, have told us your secret - you mean to give us all things in glory with the...

 

Passage1 Corinthians 2:1-5

PrayerDear Father, God of all true wisdom, power, and glory,When I set about to share your Good News about Jesus with other people, keep me from using lofty concepts or high-sounding words. Let me speak of nothing except Christ and him crucified.Help me to understand that it is okay for me to show my own weakness, fear, and trembling. Let my words demonstrate your Spirit and power, so that the faith which germinates will rest not in my wisdom but in yours.In...