5 Ways to Pray the Apostolic Prayers Found in the Bible
- Becky Harling Author
- Updated Aug 23, 2022
Our prayer lives inform how close we feel to God, so it’s important to strengthen them. The New Testament Apostles all had robust prayer lives that were foundational to the early church. In this present day, apostolic prayers can strengthen our prayer lives and help sustain our spiritual growth.
What Exactly Are the Apostolic Prayers?
The Apostolic prayers are the recorded prayers found in the New Testament prayed by Jesus (Hebrews 3:1) and the Apostles. The Apostles were Jesus’s 12 closest friends, and they were the founders of the early church. They were men with deep prayer lives. While Judas ended up betraying Jesus and was replaced by Matthias, many Bible scholars feel that Paul was the true replacement of Judas. He is considered an Apostle as well.
There are over 30 prayers written by the Apostles scattered through the New Testament. Each of these prayers was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Many of them include the Apostle praying that recipients would be given a great understanding of God’s love (Ephesians 1:15-23). Or for the believers to be filled with all joy, peace, and hope (Romans 15:13). For the church in Colossae, Paul prayed that they would be given a revelation of God’s will, increased intimacy with Christ, and spiritual strength (Colossians 1:9-12).
In every case, these are prayers we can use in our own prayer journeys to pray for family, friends, loved ones, and neighbors. When we pray scripture, we know for sure we are praying in accordance with God’s will. It is hand’s down one of the most effective tools for overcoming worry, fear, anxiety, and other strongholds that hold each of us captive. Each of the Apostolic prayers has the potential to be transformational prayers in the lives of those we love.
Here are 5 prayers for your loved ones based on the Apostolic prayers in the Bible:
1. A prayer for the gospel to go out and for unity in the church from the Apostolic prayers of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I echo Your prayer that You would send more workers into the field, which you have said are ripe and ready for harvest. Holy Spirit, stir up revival and a new longing in our hearts to reach people with the gospel. Open the hearts of those around us like never before, so that many receive the love and forgiveness you have promised. Sanctify us with your truth and with an urgency to share the gospel message with others. Unify the collective church I pray, so that others would be drawn to the love we share for one another. Let us experience your full glory in our unity (Based on Matthew 9:37-38, John 17:1, John 17:21-26)
2. A prayer for hope, joy, peace, and unity from the Apostolic prayers in Romans.
Holy One, I pray that You as the God of hope would fill ______________ (put in loved one’s name) with hope, joy, and peace so that she may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the God who gives endurance and encouragement will give you the same mind toward others that Christ had. I pray that ______________ will encourage unity in her church so that with one mind and one voice she and others will glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help her to be accepting of others and to love others as you have loved your church.
3. A prayer for loved ones to experience the love of Christ and to be deeply rooted in that love from the Apostolic prayers in Ephesians.
Holy One, I pray that You would give ______________ (put in the name of your loved one) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that ______________ (insert name), my know him better. I pray that the eyes of his heart may be enlightened in order that he may know the hope to which he has called him. I pray that the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms would empower ______________ (insert name) to live victoriously. I pray that ______________ (insert name) being rooted and established in love may have power, together will all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that he may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to You, Lord Jesus, You who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within ______________ (insert name) (Based on Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-21).
4. A prayer for Revelation of God’s will and open doors from the Apostolic prayers in Colossians.
Lord God, I ask that you would fill ______________ (put in name of loved one) with the knowledge of Your will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit give so that he may live a life worthy of the calling You have and so that he might please You in every way. I pray that ______________ (insert name) will bear lots of fruit and grow in the knowledge of God and that he would be strengthened with power according to Your glorious might. I pray that ______________ (insert name) would have great endurance and patience and that He would give thanks in all areas of life. I pray that he would stand firm in all the will of God and that he would mature and be fully assured of your love for him. I pray for many open doors to share his faith. I pray that he would live the gospel message authentically before others (Based on Colossians 1:9-12, 4:2-4, 12).
5. A prayer for rekindling of holiness and hope from the Apostolic prayers in Thessalonians.
Lord God, I thank You for ______________ (put in name of loved one). I praise You that she is standing strong in faith. This brings me so much joy, Lord! May You Lord Jesus, make ______________ (insert name) love grow more and more so that she will be blameless and holy in the presence of God. Thank you that You are the one who has called her, and You will be faithful. I pray that You would help her to live a life worthy of his calling and that by his power he may bring to fruition her every desire for goodness and her deeds prompted by faith. I pray that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ would be glorified in her and through her according to Your grace in her life. I pray that ______________ (insert name) would grow in her knowledge and experience of God’s love and that she would be filled with encouragement and hope as she looks to You! Finally, Holy One, I pray that You, the Lord of peace, would give her peace at all times and in every way (Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:23-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Conclusion on the Apostolic Prayers
The Apostolic prayers are a gift to the church today. So often, we find we’re not sure how or what to pray for an individual. By using the prayers, the Apostles and Jesus prayed, we know that we are praying in sync with God’s will. We are able to unleash the power of praying scripture over our loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Just as these prayers strengthened the New Testament Church, they will strengthen our faith as we pray them.
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This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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