Praying with Paul

1 Corinthians 6:12-13​

Dear Father, powerful and holy God,
Help me to understand that even though all things may be lawful for me, all things are not helpful. Keep me from being enslaved by anything.
You gave us stomachs for processing food and drink, and you gave us sexuality for procreation and intimacy, but you did not mean our bodies to be used for gluttony, drunkenness, or immorality!
Remind me every day, Lord, that my body is for you, and that you, Lord, are for my body...

 

1 Corinthians 6:1-11​

Dear Father, eternal and just judge of all,
Help me never to shame you or your saints before the world. How could I dare seek arbitration with a brother before a judge who does not even know about Christ's way? If believers are someday to judge the world, and even angels, surely we can settle matters between ourselves. Help me, Father, to willingly suffer wrong rather than to quarrel with members of your family before the world and thereby invite their...

 

1 Corinthians 5:9-13​

Dear Father, lover of righteousness and purity,
Give us determination to keep your command not to associate with the immoral - not at all meaning the immoral of the world, the greedy and robbers, the idolaters, for then we would have to go out of the world - but not to associate with one who bears the name of a brother if that one is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard or robber - not even to eat with such a person.
You...

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-8​

Dear Father, who disciplines us for our own good,
Save your church from the sexual perversions that are taking place in our society. Let us show your love to sinners and show them how to receive forgiveness. But may we also say, as Jesus said, "Sin no more!"
Help us to exercise discipline, even to the removal of unrepentant members, delivering them over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that their spirits may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus...

 

1 Corinthians 4:14-21​

Dear Father, king of the ages,
I am proud to be your child, and I want to listen carefully to your admonition. Help me to listen to you through the words of my spiritual fathers in the faith, your apostles. May I imitate them!
Remind me of their ways in Christ. From them and through them may I learn that the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
Come to me, Lord, to chasten me and change me. But please show your love in a spirit of...

 

1 Corinthians 4:8-13​

Dear Father, king of the ages,
Would that your people were already filled! Would that they were already rich! Would that they were already kings and sharing the reign with each other! For then I would be sharing in it too.
We know all this grandeur awaits us in the kingdom that is to come, but for now, give us the endurance to follow your apostles in a parade that is a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Many are strong, but we may have to put up...

 

1 Corinthians 4:6-7​

Dear Father,
Help me to live according to your Holy Scriptures. That is why I pray to you in their very words. I want to be conformed to your will, for you will what is best for me. Help me not to be puffed up against my brothers and sisters in Christ. For who sees any difference in me. We all have been freely justified by your grace, forgiven of our sins.
What have I that I have not been given? I cannot boast of anything as if it were not a gift. Whatever I...

 

1 Corinthians 4:5​

Dear Father, who drives away all the darkness,
Keep me from passing judgment before the proper time, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of every person's heart, including mine. And so everyone will receive appropriate commendation from you.
Let me be concerned about "this day" and "that day." Let me do my best to serve you "this day" - today, that I may stand before you on "that...

 

1 Corinthians 4:1-4​

Dear Father, judge of all mankind,
Help me be a profitable slave to you and good steward of your mysteries. As a steward may I be found trustworthy.
May I not be concerned about being judged by human beings or by any human court. May I not even set in judgment on myself. Only you do that. I am not aware of anything against myself, but that, I understand, in and of itself, does not acquit me before you. You are my judge. You can condemn. And you can and will...

 

1 Corinthians 3:21-23​

Dear Father, kind and generous God,
Let us look for the imitation of Jesus in the lives of others, for you have made this the measure of greatness. And even if we should find it, let us give the glory to you, to whom it truly belongs! For you are worthy!
Thank you that you don't pay us what you owe, but give us everything freely! For all things are ours through your grace — whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world, or life or death, or things present...