Learning How To Pray Pt. 32 Pray With Thanksgiving, Watch For Christ's Return.

As we move farther into the New Testament, we will read many prayers of the apostles that will help guide how we pray to God.

The following text is Paul's prayer to the Christians at Corinth. We are familiar with this church because it had a lot of spiritual and practical problems that needed to be addressed. 

The abuse of spiritual gifts was one major cause of concern at Corinth and Paul's prayer speaks about the gifts, preparing them for an exposition of them in chapters 12-14. 

Beginning with thanksgiving to God. 

1 Corinthians 1:4  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 

Paul began his prayer by expressing his deepest thanks to God for the grace and salvation they received from Jesus Christ. 

What is grace? Grace is often defined as the free, unmerited love and favor of God, the source of all the benefits men receive from him. 

It is God giving us something marvelous and wonderful that we do not deserve, something freely bestowed on all who believe. 

Grace is the free action of God's love for us, giving us salvation through faith in Christ, so that we can become His children. 

Grace is given to us by Jesus Christ to bring great spiritual benefits for us, that we might love and serve God effectively. 

We must follow the apostle's example and tell our heavenly Father how thankful and blessed we are for His grace and love to us.

Expounding the scriptures enriches our new man in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 

All the truths of God relative to their salvation, had been explicitly declared to the Corinthians. 

God gave them knowledge so that they perfectly comprehended the doctrines expounded by the apostle Paul.

The Spirit of God blessed each early church with the spiritual gifts that were necessary for mutual ministry within the church, and evangelization work in the world.

The word "utterance" refers to the whole of the scriptures. They include the law of Moses and all God's prophets, the wisdom books like Job and worship books like the Psalms. 

"Utterances" includes the moral precepts of God and His directing imperatives for us to follow. These truths are essential for our spiritual well being as they nourish our inner man, and help us walk in the way of God's holiness. 

God confirmed His saving work at Corinth. 

1 Corinthians 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 

The word "testimony" refers to evidence or tangible proofs that the Christians at Corinth had received Jesus Christ and were now saints of God. It is the legal term connected to evidence presented in a court of law. 

Evidence of the new birth and a relationship with God through faith in Christ, was "confirmed" in the believers at Corinth. This word refers to making one's faith firm, securely planted and well established. 

Mark 16:20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. 

Mark's gospel concluded with these words. The apostles went out preaching the gospel of Christ wherever they traveled. The Lord Jesus supported them by doing mighty saving works, and sending His Spirit to live in believer's hearts. 

The power of the gospel was "confirmed" by the many conversions to Christ and by the signs, wonders and miracles God wrought by the hands of the apostles. 

Putting spiritual gifts and Christ's coming into a right relationship. 

1 Corinthians 1:7,8  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8)  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Every gift and grace of God’s Spirit was possessed by the members of that Church, as administered by the Spirit of God. Paul wanted them to have all the spiritual tools that God bestowed and he wanted them to use the gifts properly.

The very next prayer request of Paul was that the Corinthian Christians learn to wait patiently for the return of Jesus Christ. 

Christ's return has two aspects. First, His meeting us in the air, and taking His Bride, the Church, home to heaven, for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Second, is His return as King and Judge, when Christ will come to earth and put an end to all rebellion. 

Believers are enjoined by the Lord to pray for His return and to work for Him until He does come back. 

Mark 13:32-37  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33)  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34)  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35)  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36)  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37)  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

Our Lord issued a clear command for all His disciples to obey. Four times He tells us to watch with alertness and hopeful anticipation. 

We are to work for our Lord every day, as we wait and watch patiently for Jesus to come back to take us home to heaven. We do not know when Jesus will return so we must always use the time God gives us in a wise manner. 

Jesus' instruction is why Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth to be waiting, watching and working for the Lord, while worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth. 

We too, should be occupied with the very same things. 

Closing by focusing on God's faithfulness to us. 

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  

All 66 books of the Bible bear witness to the faithfulness of God. It is displayed in creation by His governing power, established seasons, and sending us rain and sunshine to sustain us.

His faithfulness is evident in His saving provision through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. His Word will not pass away and the gospel will be preached until the fulness of time is come. 

Believers in Christ join a vast, world wide fellowship of other Christians. We also will enjoy the company of all saints in heaven who preceded us in death. 

Jesus Christ is our common bond. The Spirit of God joins each believer together with each other and with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Let us remember to begin our prayers by thanking our Father in heaven, for all the rich blessings He has given us. 

Let us remember to study the scriptures and to sit under expository preaching, so that our faith is confirmed and our life with Christ enriched.

Let us remember that God confirms His saving work, and that we should cultivate spiritual things in our lives, that we might keep growing and be used by God for His kingdom work. 

Let us always remember the coming of our Lord, so that we are waiting, watching and working for Him until He returns.

Let us close our prayers by acknowledging the faithfulness of God. He is faithful to us each and every moment of every day. 

Bob