Our current letter series “Wise Practices” aims to share practical knowledge and wisdom to help us grow as doers of the word. Each letter will share applied methods and answer a ‘how.’ These practices are not perfect or comprehensive. They are personal testimonies; shared knowledge and wisdom gained through pursuit and service that helped facilitate growth in our lives. We pray they help you grow as well.
I am so thankful to the Lord for gifting us the ability to pray to Him! It is a grace of the Lord that we can come to Him in prayer and that He hears our prayers (Psalm 55:16-17; Proverbs 15:29). One of the greatest blessings we have as adopted children of God is getting to pray for other brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful to those who have prayed to the Lord on my behalf over the years. I am also grateful to those who have allowed me the opportunity to pray for them.
As a brother in Christ and a pastor, I often pray for others. Sometimes my prayers are in regard to a prayer request that has been made known to me by one of our church members. Other times, I just pray in general for my own household and for our church family at TCBC. Sometimes I pray for strangers I just met and sometimes I pray for those around me who are without Christ. No matter the situation, there are some aspects of my prayers that remain constant – (1) That God is glorified in the person’s life and situation, (2) That the person will find their ultimate joy in Jesus, (3) That the person will actively place their faith and trust in the Lord during this season, and (4) That God’s will be done. Though the prompted prayer request may change from situation to situation (health issues, family issues, job issues, relationship issues, sin issues, ministry opportunities, emotional struggles, discernment, salvation, etc.), I consistently pray the above four requests as part of my prayer for others. And yes, I do pray for the specific needs of the person, but within the greater context of these four larger “prayer rails.”
I pray this way because Scripture often gives examples of praying with these aims in view. Throughout the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament epistles, prayers often included proclamations of thanks to the Lord, requests for Christians to grow deeper in their faith and obedience to the Lord, for the Lord’s will to be done, and for the Lord to be glorified.
For instance, here are a few examples:
Ephesians 1:15-23 – 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.
Colossians 1:9-14 – 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; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:38-39 – 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 – 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. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 1:9-11 – 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.
Matthew 6:9-13 – 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
As your brother in Christ and as one of your elders, I delight in the opportunity to pray for our church family. Please let me know if I can ever be praying for you regarding anything specific.
With much love and in Christ,
Jeremy Bledsoe
Elder / Member Care Pastor
Jeremy and Aerial have been married since 2005 and have served at Tri-Cities since 2010. They have four children: Camille, Clayton, Chandler, and Carson.