Paul was a man who fully understood the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian. He began so many of his epistles with an affirmation that he was praying for those addressed. He believed in the importance of prayer. He told this to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians and Timothy. Paul really believed in prayer.
There is a remarkable request he made to the church in Thessalonica. After urging them to pray without ceasing, he then said, “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thess. 5:17, 25). He believed that the prayers of brethren on his behalf would make a difference in what happened in his life. Because of this, I ask of you, “Brethren, pray for me.”
I believe with all my heart that God has blessed me because of those who have told me over all of these years that they are praying for me. I am thankful that many, especially widows in the church, have prayed for me, and their prayers have changed the events in my life. Some are now deceased, like Evelyn and Ludell, but they prayed for me until the end of their lives. I think of Willette, who, at age 99, still prays for me every day as she has for the past forty years. There are others who pray for me, and I owe each of them a debt. “Brethren, pray for me.”
In Colossians chapter four, Paul urged those brothers to continue in prayer and then mentions some specific things which he wanted them to include in that prayer. “I ask you, my brethren, to include these in your prayers for me.” He specifically asked them to petition God, “That God would open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.” Think of it! Paul believed that if the church in Colosse would pray that there would be opportunities for him to teach others, it would happen. “Brethren, pray for me.”
He added to this another request. “That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col. 4:4). Truth is absolute and eternal. Yet, for it to change the lives of those who hear preaching, it must be manifested to them. It must be presented in such a way that it can be understood. Without this, preaching ceases to be preaching. “Brethren, pray for me.”
I want each of you to know that in private prayers I am praying for you. Some are mentioned specifically by name, for I know of special needs you have. I so often pray that God bless the brotherhood and that He would work in the lives of my brethren around the world.
Now if Paul, the great apostle, believed so firmly that the prayers of brethren helped (see 2 Cor. 1:11) and asked others to pray for him, then, from the depths of my heart I ask, “Brethren, pray for me.”