“I wish there was more that I could do for your ministry, but I am on a limited budget.” I remember hearing this a lot as a missionary when I would share the story of what God was doing in his kingdom. Often it was from a sweet widow or a retired couple who wanted to give more financial assistance to our ministry. I would usually respond by saying, “You actually can do something more important for the mission than providing funds.” Then I would share with them Paul’s words to the Roman church, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (Romans 15:30). Prayer on behalf of others gives us the opportunity to be present with them in their spiritual battles. Prayers of intercession and supplication bring God’s power to bear on shaping the future of those we pray for, and the future of His kingdom.  

Supplication and intercession are prayers characterized by seeking, asking, entreating, and imploring God on behalf of oneself or others. Prayer is a serious matter between God and his people. But let’s consider its impact. We all know that Jesus was a man of prayer committed to his Father. In the midst of the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciple, Simon Peter, “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NIV).  Can you feel the power of the Lord Jesus looking into Peter’s eyes and saying, “But I have prayed for you”? Beyond the value of the prayer itself, when Jesus told Peter of it, it would have tremendously impacted him. 

Consider this, then: could you be one to look into the eyes of mission workers and say, “I have prayed for you?” What impact that could have in the heavenly and earthly realms!  

With that in mind, how do we go about praying prayers of supplication for ourselves and others?  

I find strength and instruction in praying Paul’s prayers from his letters to the churches and to individuals. I am always impressed with the spiritual nature of Paul’s prayers. He does not just ask for physical requests, but he generally focuses on prayer for spiritual growth. Here are a few important supplications that Paul makes on behalf of those receiving his letters. 

• Pray for wisdom – “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you might know him better.” Ephesians 1:15-17 (NIV).   

• Pray for strength through God’s power – Ephesians 3:14-19 

• Pray for others’ love to abound – Philippians 1:9-11 

• Pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding – Colossians 1:9-14 

• Pray for peace – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT).  

Paul also asks the recipients of his letters to intercede for him in specific ways. Would you make the same prayer request of others as they intercede for you?  

• Pray for fearless sharing of the gospel – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” Ephesians 6:19 (NIV). 

• Pray for open doors for the message of Christ – Colossians 4:2-4 

• Pray for the message of the Lord to spread and be honored – 2 Thessalonians 3:1 

• Pray for protection from the evil one – "Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer” 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NLT). 

I invite you to join with me in praying Paul’s prayers of supplication for yourself and for others sharing good news of Jesus. Click here for a list of the majority of Paul’s prayers. Pray a prayer of Paul each day or each week of this year for those working in the kingdom. And, as a means of blessing them further, don’t forget to do as Jesus did and let them know you prayed for them.