Lessons from the Apostle Paul's Prayers

Rich Theology Made Accessible

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Why study and pray the prayers of the Apostle Paul? One word: transformation. Of the many benefits we have in learning from Paul, a few stand out:

1. We see how the Holy Spirit wants us to pray.
Scripture provides a wealth of prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit, each of them giving a glimpse into the unsearchable wisdom of Almighty God. These prayers should shape our priorities and our entire outlook on life.

So often, we pray such small, self-centered prayers instead of asking how God would have us pray. As we read and pray Paul's prayers, God will work His purposes in us as we contemplate what Paul prayed for and why. Paul prayed for the eyes of Ephesian hearts enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) and rejoiced in the rich fellowship he had with the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 3:9–13). When was the last time you prayed for either of those things?

Spurgeon illustrates why we want to pray according to God's priorities: "A man might try to fill us and fail, but God, who made us, knows every corner and cranny of our nature, and can pour in joy and peace till every portion of our being is flooded, saturated, and overflowed with delight."

2. We can pray along with Paul confident of God's answers.
Praying God's prayers according to God's priorities means we can be sure of God's answers. This doesn't mean He will answer as we expect, but it does mean God will answer prayers according to His will as He promises (1 John 5:14). Since Scripture is His revealed will, praying Paul's prayers guarantee God's answers.

Let this sink into your soul. As you earnestly pray for God to strengthen your faith to grasp the depths and riches of Christ's love (Ephesians 3:14–19), God will answer you—He wants you to experience the profundity of Christ's love.

"Expect great things, expect things beyond all expectation," Spurgeon writes. "Your largest hopes shall all be exceeded. Hope, and hope, and yet hope again, and each time hope more and more, but the Lord will give you more than you have hoped for."

3. Our minds will be enlightened and affections stirred.
As we contemplate the prayers and petitions of the great apostle, God's Spirit will illuminate the prayers and shape the desires of our heart. Instead of merely praying for circumstances and our to-dos, our hearts will pray for things like the filling of our minds with "the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 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…" (Colossians 1:9–10). As we pray prayers like this and see God answer us, our hearts will be drawn into deeper delight and communion with our Father.

As you pick up Lessons from the Prayers of the Apostle Paul, let the Holy Spirit mentor you in prayer as you enter into Paul's prayer closet. This isn't a comprehensive study on Paul's prayers, but rather eight sermons working through rich nuggets from Paul's prayers. Don't read this book to finish; read to change. Note helpful verses and quotes and incorporate them into your daily prayer routine. Put down the book and get on your knees. Cry out to God in worship, dependence, and intercession. He will hear you and He will answer.

The prayer of Paul in Philippians 1:9–11 is our prayer for this volume:

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Genres: Prayer, Nonfiction, Theology, Christian, Christian Living

225 pages, ebook

Published January 12, 2018

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully excellent!!!!!!!!! Full review will be posted soon, God willing.

Hundreds of meaningful quotes from this book to cherish!

[Jessica Yim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no surprise that I enjoyed this book! From cover to cover, Spurgeon’s words pierced my heart with conviction, remorse for my sins, and love for my God. I’m always challenged by his wisdom. From the simplest as “self-assertion is ignorance on horseback” to the more profound “If you have no love for souls, you will not understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem; it will puzzle you mightily;”. I’m, in part, glad that I read this on my kindle as I can imagine if I had read this as a book, the pages would surely be dripping with highlighter ink!

Without expatiating, I love Apostle Paul’s prayers! My personal favorites were Chapters 3-5 covering sections from Colossians and Romans. Paul’s prayers to and for the church were rich with concern for what is preeminent: that they discern the true condition of their faith, hold fast to Christ, and live a life worthy of the Gospel. He beckons them to recall the sweetness of the grace and mercy of Christ and warns them of the patterns of sin that the church was committing. Chapter 7 led me to doxology as Spurgeon expounded on the various channels of the love of God and the awesome patience of Christ. I wish I could go into greater depth of all my reflections but I will keep the rest for myself and any appropriate moment for sharing, exhorting, and encouraging.

My mind usually goes blank after reading anything Spurgeon for lack of the ability to articulate any better so I will leave some of my favorite quotes instead:

“As the Lord looks over all that He has made He sees nothing that has cost Him suffering and death till he comes to His people. Jesus knows what the saints cost Him. He estimates them at a rate usual among men, for men say, “The price is what it will fetch,” and Jesus knows what His people fetched when He redeemed them by giving Himself for them.”

“Oh, if I thought that I had a hair of this head that belonged to myself alone I would tear it out; but to be owned by Jesus altogether, spirit, soul, and body; to be Christ’s man in the entireness of my being, this is glory, and immortality, and eternal life. Be your own, and you will be lost: be Christ’s and you are saved.”

“We ask ourselves, “How shall I hold on to the end?” The answer will be suggested by another question, “How have I held on till now?””

[Angela Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurgeon does so well to expand on Paul’s prayers for others that he writes in the epistles. These are often parts of the epistle we read quickly or don’t give much second thought, but they are such rich texts. Spurgeon does well to show that to the reader (his congregation) and these can greatly enrich our prayers not only for ourselves, but even as we pray for others.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Spurgeon has a way of reaching straight into the heart of Scripture and drawing out deep, timeless truth—and this book is no exception. Lessons from the Apostle Paul’s Prayers is a rich and reverent look at how Paul’s prayers reveal the depth of his relationship with God and his love for the Church.

Each chapter is packed with spiritual insight and conviction, reminding me that prayer isn’t just asking—it’s communion with God Himself. Spurgeon’s reflections stir both humility and hunger for a deeper prayer life. His writing is beautifully challenging, inviting readers to examine not only how they pray, but why they pray.

This book left me encouraged, convicted, and eager to model Paul’s boldness and devotion in my own conversations with God.

[Jennifer Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to meditate about

Read this slowly and savor the amazing insight spurgeon has into Paul's prayers. It is so uplifting to be told of God's love for us, reminded of how we may walk in a way that is worthy of that love, and to hear again the gospel in a way that we can share it with others.

[eric hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blessing to all who read it!

Spurgeon's ability to unpack so much meaning in the scripture is truly a gift of God. It has been a blessing to my prayer life as well.

[julie cresswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

Learnt quite a lot from this
And will read it again
It has soothing for the soul and the heart

[Anne-Marie Goyette · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspired

This book truly let you look into yourself
I found this book very inspirational
Read if you would like a dropper prayer life

[Lawrence D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I’m re-reading in order to absorb much more. Preacher Spurgeon brings to the reader how Apostle Paul explains in text and prayer the workings of the Holy Spirit. Using Paul’s prayers with confidence that God hears and answers. Paul’s draw us into deeper delight with God.
Recommend to those who are new with prayers and a refresher to long time Prayers.