This post is Day 5 in a series of studies about “Philemon”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Philemon – Day 5

Philemon 4

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.

The Thought

As I read that sentence today, I wonder if Paul had the same sentiment about many others that he prayed for. Did he give thanks for all those he prayed for? Or was he urging God to change hearts, reveal Himself more, and give divine messages to some of his contacts? Paul must have spent many hours in prayer. And while he was imprisoned, he had plenty of time to pray.

As a little girl, I was taught to say prayers at night on my way to bed. Usually short rhymes I had learned. In the summer I knelt at the side of my bed. But in winter I prayed between the sheets! No heating in houses in those days!

Other than that, I read the written prayers in the prayer book in the Anglican church we attended, but they didn’t mean too much until I was much older. Now, at my ripe old age, and with a real ongoing relationship with The Lord, I pray most of the time and no matter where I am. I also appreciate some of those old prayers.

Reading Paul’s letters and the book of Acts, we never get the impression that prison was a waste of time for him. He prayed constantly, met many people and changed many lives permanently by introducing them to Jesus: for example the jailor and his family (Acts 16:16-38), Onesimus the runaway slave, now converted, and many others.

Action

Ask yourself today why you pray for those you pray for. Who is it you remember regularly when you pray?

Do you really take time to hear what God wants you to pray for them, or do you pray according to their needs as you see them?

Let’s not forget the command from Paul to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3)! They need our prayers.


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