I’ve been posting a lot of quotes from A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Priorities from Paul and His Prayers by D.A. Carson*. I highly recommend this book to improve your prayer life. (There is also a link at the bottom of this page if you don’t want to interrupt your reading.) I’d like to post some things a little more substantive. I thought it would be good to list all of Paul’s prayers as Carson has them in the book. I couldn’t easily find a list on the web so I thought I would do it here at the risk of reinventing the wheel.
What he would like us to keep in mind is we need “to find out exactly what it is he asks God for on their [the people he prays for] behalf, and compare the results with what we normally ask for.”
Quite a few years ago I memorized some of Paul’s prayers like Eph 1:17-19, Eph 3:16-21, etc. That alone reshaped how I pray. As time went on and I payed attention to what Paul prays for, my own prayers became more and more spiritual and less temporal, not that we shouldn’t spend time petitioning for things related to the latter. When I found out about this book I wanted to look into Paul’s prayers further.
Carson used the NIV and I know he endorses the TNIV so that’s what I’ll use here. Some of them are short enough to mouse-over and see the whole thing. For longer ones you can click on “More” in the lower left corner of the tooltip-like popup or look them up however you’d like if you’re interested. Below that is the list without TNIV in the way if you’d like it (which should show up as NLT as of now):
This exercise is extremely beneficial. If you haven’t already I would highly recommend memorizing some of these prayers. I have NIV and ESV (below–each one has to be marked for the plugin to recognize it) for you.
Rom 1:8-10
Rom 10:1
Rom 12:12
Rom 15:5-6
Rom 15:13
Rom 15:30-33
1 Cor 1:4-9
1 Cor 16:23
2 Cor 1:3-7
2 Cor 2:14-16
2 Cor 9:12-15
2 Cor 12:7-9a
2 Cor 13:7-9
Gal 6:18
Eph 1:3ff
Eph 1:15-23
Eph 3:14-21
Eph 6:19-20
Phil 1:3-6
Phil 1:9-11
Phil 4:6-7
Phil 4:23
Col 1:3-14
Col 4:2-4
1 Thess 1:2-3
1 Thess 2:13-16
1 Thess 3:9-13
1 Thess 5:23-24
1 Thess 5:28
2 Thess 1:3ff
2 Thess 1:11-12
2 Thess 2:16-17
2 Thess 3:2-5
2 Thess 3:16
1 Tim 1:12
1 Tim 2:1ff
2 Tim 1:3-7
2 Tim 1:16-18
2 Tim 4:22
Titus 3:15b
Philemon 1:4-7
Philemon 1:25
Rom 1:8-10 ESV
Rom 10:1 ESV
Rom 12:12 ESV
Rom 15:5-6 ESV
Rom 15:13 ESV
Rom 15:30-33 ESV
1 Cor 1:4-9 ESV
1 Cor 16:23 ESV
2 Cor 1:3-7 ESV
2 Cor 2:14-16 ESV
2 Cor 9:12-15 ESV
2 Cor 12:7-9a ESV
2 Cor 13:7-9 ESV
Gal 6:18 ESV
Eph 1:3ff ESV
Eph 1:15-23 ESV
Eph 3:14-21 ESV
Eph 6:19-20 ESV
Phil 1:3-6 ESV
Phil 1:9-11 ESV
Phil 4:6-7 ESV
Phil 4:23 ESV
Col 1:3-14 ESV
Col 4:2-4 ESV
1 Thess 1:2-3 ESV
1 Thess 2:13-16 ESV
1 Thess 3:9-13 ESV
1 Thess 5:23-24 ESV
1 Thess 5:28 ESV
2 Thess 1:3ff ESV
2 Thess 1:11-12 ESV
2 Thess 2:16-17 ESV
2 Thess 3:2-5 ESV
2 Thess 3:16 ESV
1 Tim 1:12 ESV
1 Tim 2:1ff ESV
2 Tim 1:3-7 ESV
2 Tim 1:16-18 ESV
2 Tim 4:22 ESV
Titus 3:15b ESV
Philemon 1:4-7 ESV
Philemon 1:25 ESV
*There is a new edition out with a new, and I think more appropriate title: Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation. As far as I can tell, it’s the same book with a new cover and a new Preface.
Excellent list, Jeff!
I had considered a closer examination of Paul’s sermons in Acts after growing tired of preachers talking more about themselves than the Gospel, and these prayers add confirmation.
BTW, stole your plugin – excellent!
I pray that people will benefit from that list.
It’s a great plugin. I even styled it to match the blog’s colors.
Jeff
Jeff
Thank you so much for this. It was so handy to just “mouse-over’ the reference and read the passage. I’m not sure how long it took you to do this but it was worth it. Since you’ve been quoting Carson a lot (so easy to do since he is so darn quotable) I’ll add one of my favorites from this book: “If the center of our praying is far removed from the center of Paul’s praying, then even our very praying may serve as a wretched testimony to the remarkable success of the processes of paganization in our life and thought.” (96-97)
Louis you’re welcome.
That’s quite a convicting quote. I remember reading it.
Thanks for commenting.
Jeff
Thanks Paul. Those studies look very good. If our group hadn’t done a study on prayer not too long ago I would suggest it. I want to read Carson’s other book on prayer too.
Jeff
Loved this post. It was great to have Paul’s prayers together. I will certainly keep this as a reference tool, and will also consider adding reftagger to my blog!
Sorry it took me so long to approve this Merle. I’m glad you like it. I’m glad it seems the work on it looks to be helpful.
Jeff
This is excellent! Thank you so much. I was just this evening talking to a friend about prayer, and both of us had independently come to the decision to study the prayers of Paul. I immediately sent the link! Btw, I’ve not read anything by D.A. Carson, although I’ve heard of him. I’ll have to add him to my summer reading list.
You’re welcome. I’m glad that it’s helpful.
Jeff
Dear Brethren
I thought it would be an useful endeavour to read up the Apostle’s prayers and align myself to his way of praying. I was delighted to find a table of his prayers listed above. I am so glad that the prayers are listed in Carson’s book. I have the book on my shelf but have not read it due to pursuing Honors studies. I plan to read the book. Regards
Prem
Thank you Prem. I’m glad to hear it was worth it for me to list them.
Jeff
Thanks for the list of Paul’s prayers. I have been doing a sermon series on the great prayers of the Bible. While I am only doing three of Paul’s, this is a great resource.
You’re welcome. I’m glad it helped.
Jeff
I realise this is a really old thread but you mention a series of studies from ‘The Prayers of Paul & Jesus’ which I’d love to look at, but the link to http://www.tmch.net is for woodworking projects? Any change you could email me a copy?
Thanks,
Cloe
Hi,
I’m sorry about that. I have no idea what happened to the study or where to find it. I deleted that post. Thanks for letting me know.
Jeff
Jeff, Thank you for posting this list.
brother John
You’re welcome brother.
Jeff
Thanks you for this list. So many Christians are suffering. I bookmarked this so I can pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ regularly. As you have sown the word says you will reap. Enjoy your harvest and be blessed.
You’re welcome. I hope it’s helpful. Reading them really changed how I pray.
Jeff
Thanks for this list. What a convicting list to see how much of Paul’s life was focused on not only communicating the gospel but on integrating into life through the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer. Has helped me in moving from the indicative to the imperative in Paul’s letters. The gospel foundation of the indicative is so crucial to finishing well in the imperative.
thanks so much for the prayer list i once had a pastor friend of mine do a message on some of pauls prayers so this is just great thanks brother aubrey
You’re Welcome Aubry. Great idea by the pastor. I can’t remember where I first got the idea many years ago. I think from God only.
Jeff
Some think Paul wrote Hebrews, so maybe add Heb 13:20-21.
Thanks so much for listing Paul’s prayers for reference. Looking forward to reading D.A. Carson’s book on prayer as well.
You’re welcome.
Jeff
Dear Jeff
Hello to you and the Church all over the world.
It is quite refreshing to return to your site and read
all the different comments; some of them for a second time.
May “we grow in His grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and excel in all good works”
Regards
Prem
Thanks for coming back Prem. I hope your Honors studies went well.
Jeff
Glad to be back Jeff. I have finished the Honors studies. Thanks; everything went well.
Prem
The top half of the list doesn’t work when I click on it.
Woody, they’re the same as the bottom half. The TNIV must be tripping it up. Such a long list it’s hard to see that they’re the same.
Jeff
Please send a hard copy of Paul’s Prayers to: [address removed]
You may have them printed if you like. I’m sorry but I can’t send things to people.
Jeff
Thank you for this web page – what a blessing it has and will be, as I continue to seek the Lord and His will for my life.
I have never heard of D.A. Carson but will look for his books.
Paul’s Prayers have made me a very happy man in my daily walk with Christ. This prayer list will be a real ministry gift to our members at SaveASinner.com as well.
Thanks,
Hi,brother, Actually I was looking to learn about “Paul’s prayer life”, but after going through all these verses I found out that Paul lived a “life of Prayer”. Thanks for yielding to the Holy Spirit to bring out this list….so encouraging.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Jeff