Prayer Requests Hebrews 13:18-21 Emmanuel Christian Church 1.18.26 INTRODUCTION: Prayer requests are popular! Some people see them as a last ditch effort when all else fails- “All we can do now, is pray.” Other people see prayer requests as the Christian “Get out of jail free” card- whatever your pain or problem might be, all you have to do is pray about it and it’ll be good! Still others see prayer as the penny you put into God’s cosmic bubble gum machine- put the penny prayer in, God delivers the gumball! PROPOSITION: But what does the Scripture say about prayer- either by direct statement or practical example? Now, those are GOOD QUESTIONS! First, Jesus Himself taught on the subject of prayer. Luke records that lesson for us: Luke 11:2 [Jesus] said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” Now, that gets to the point! Praise, petition, confession and direction- all great points for our prayers to God! And notice this: Jesus said “WHEN” you pray, not “IF” you pray! In the book of Acts, Luke also records for us the earliest habits of the first century church: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Now, one sermon on prayer is simply NOT enough to do justice to everything Scripture has to say on the subject. However, as we conclude our journey through the New Testament Book of Hebrews, we find ourselves with the opportunity to consider the subject as we read our final text: Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. We leave the Book of Hebrews with four observations regarding prayer- specifically, the matter of prayer requests. The first is that… Prayer requests are PERSONAL This may seem like an obvious point (and it is), however, it begs an issue we need to consider one more time relating to the Book of Hebrews: who wrote it? The earliest evidence from the first century Church is that it was written by the Apostle Paul. So, what’s the big deal? Well, a couple of things: First, the letter was issued anonymously. No where do we find the words “I Paul…” Second, the style of Greek is NOT that of Paul’s other letters. So, what answers are there to those two observations? Why was the book of Hebrews anonymous? Possibly because Paul himself offended the Jews, the very “Hebrews” to whom the letter was intended to reach. First, although we know that Paul was himself a traditionally trained Jewish lawyer- many of his fellow countrymen viewed him as a “sell- out” to the Jewish faith when he became a Christian. Also, we know that God had called Paul to be the “Apostle to the Gentiles” - not the Jews, and THAT offended many of his countrymen! But, regardless of those things, Paul had a powerful burden for the salvation of his fellow countrymen, and it could very well be that this anonymous letter was ment to encourage those who were either already Christian converts from Judaism, or who might be considering making that move. So, his purpose in anonymity might simply have been his desire to reach that Jewish audience. Listen to Paul’s own perspective on the Jews as he writes to the Gentile Romans… Romans 11:13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people (the Jews) to envy and save some of them. Romans 9:1 I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit — 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. As to the second objection to Paul’s authorship (the style of Greek not being that of Paul’s other letters), the second century church father, Clement of Alexandria put forth the idea that the letter to the Hebrews was originally written in Hebrew (duh) and then translated into the Greek by the Apostle Luke (with which whose style of Greek it shares many similarities). APPLICATION: Why is this worth all that explanation? Two reasons, as with all other Scripture, we need to have confidence that this is indeed the authoritative Word of God from the pen of the inspired Apostle Paul. The first century church had that confidence in the Letter to the Hebrews and so do I. The second reason is far more simple- prayer requests ARE PERSONAL, they give us insight to the people who make them. Which brings me to our second observation… Prayer requests reveal PRIORITIES Three popular items seem to head up the list of prayer requests: Health, Wealth and Happiness. Those last two can really raise some eyebrows! Have you ever been astounded (maybe even offended) by some of the things that people ask prayer for? Wealth: pay-raise, car, house, boat, vacation, _________ (fill in the blank) Happiness: from an “A” on the final exam to a “Yes” for a first date! APPLICATION: Think about your own prayer-request list. What does it have to say about you and your priorities? That question leads me to my third observation… Paul’s prayer requests for HIMSELF In our text for today, we have at least two things for which Paul asked for prayer (we’ll get to those in a minute), but were there other times he specifically asked for prayer? Yes! It’s actually interesting to note that none of the other Apostolic authors of the New Testament ask for prayer for themselves- only Paul. So what did he ask for? But before we answer that- consider this: even asking for prayer, Paul recognized two very important things. First, in some way, he depended on the prayer support of his fellow Christians. Second, Paul understood his complete dependence on the power of God. So, what things DID Paul personally request prayer for? Success in ministry… Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. Right words & courage… Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Open doors to ministry… Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Spread of the Gospel… 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. Specifically in our text, Paul prayed for two things: integrity in his own ministry and restored fellowship with his Hebrew brethren. Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. The only record we have that Paul ever prayed a prayer of self-interest is when he asked God three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh”- a request to which God replied with the answer “No.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. APPLICATION: We would do well to learn from Paul’s example in setting our own priorities for prayer. Trusting God’s grace, focused on others, desiring the advance of God’s kingdom and Gospel above all else! Sold out and surrendered! That’s how Paul prayed! Which leaves us with one final example to consider… Paul’s prayer requests FOR the HEBREWS Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. These are words of “benediction”, literally “good words” with which he closes his letter to the Hebrews. In all actuality, they are Paul’s prayer requests to God for THEM. Let’s take a closer look… His prayer actually begins with PRAISE to God for who He IS (the God of peace) and for what He has DONE (raising Christ from the dead). Remember how Jesus said we should start our prayers: “Our Father in heaven, HALLOWED be your Name…”? Paul’s prayer for the Hebrews is twofold: That God’s spiritual gifting would EQUIP THEM to do His will, and That His power would WORK THROUGH THEM- be pleasing in His sight and bring glory to His Name. APPLICATION: As we conclude our consideration of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, and as I conclude my pulpit ministry with you, I offer those same requests before God on your behalf. Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.