I love the way Paul prays in his epistles.

Paul is not only our pattern as members of the Church, the body of Christ, his prayers are also our pattern for prayer.

I find it beautiful the way Paul both prays for others and also asks others to pray for him.

We can deepen and strengthen our own prayer lives by praying through his Holy Spirit inspired prayers.

On a personal note praying daily through Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21 has quite literally changed my life and my experience in scripture.

Here is a list of the scripture verses that contain Paul's prayers. If you find any others that I have missed please let me know!

ROMANS:

Romans 1:8-10:

"8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."

Romans 10:1:

"10 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

Romans 12:12:

"12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"

Romans 15:5-6:

"5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 15:30-33:

"30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

CORINTHIANS:

1 Corinthians 1:4-8:

"4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 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."

1 Corinthians 16:23:

"23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

"3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation."

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"


2 Corinthians 9:12-15

"12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."


2 Corinthians 12:7-9

"7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."


2 Corinthians 13:7-9

"7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection."

GALATIANS:

Galatians 6:18

"18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."

EPHESIANS:

Ephesians 1:3

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

Ephesians 1:15-23

"15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."


Ephesians 3:14-21

"14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."


Ephesians 6:19-20

"19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

PHILIPPIANS:


Philippians 1:3-6

"3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"


Philippians 1:9-11

"9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."


Philippians 4:6-7

"6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


Philippians 4:23

"23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."


COLOSSIANS:


Colossians 1:3-14

3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"


Colossians 4:2-4

"2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak."


THESSALONIANS:


1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

"2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"


1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

"13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."


1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

"9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."


1 Thessalonians 5:23-25

"23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us."


1 Thessalonians 5:28

"28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

2 Thessalonians 1:3

"3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"


2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

"11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."


2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

"16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."


2 Thessalonians 3:2-5

"1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."


2 Thessalonians 3:16

"16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all."


TIMOTHY:


1 Timothy 1:12

"12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"


1 Timothy 2:1-2

"1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty"


2 Timothy 1:3-7

"3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."


2 Timothy 1:16-18

"16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well."


2 Timothy 4:22

"22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen."


TITUS:


Titus 3:15

"15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen."

Daily prayer is absolutely essential in the life of every Christian.

But why?

Here are five reasons:

1. Prayer is how we communicate with God:

We need to pray daily because we need to communicate with God.

God is a person. As a saved Christian you have been given the precious gift of a personal relationship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is an unbelievably amazing gift!

Communication is vital in order to grow and deepen a relationship. Your spouse is precious to you, right? What would happen if you did not talk with your spouse on a daily basis? Your relationship would wither and probably die.

If you don't pray your relationship with God will wither.

And... you will wither spiritually.

To be in fellowship with God is why he created us. Communication with Him is what he made us for.

Prayer is the way that we communicate with God.

When we pray we are talking to our creator, the God of the universe who, through his free gift of grace has saved us from sin and death and given us the gift of eternal life with him in heaven.

It's really good for us to be reminded of this truth and this gift.

Prayer - done properly - reminds us of who God is and what he has done for us. When we pray we need to let him know that we are thankful for what he has done for us and that we love him for having gifted us in such an  unspeakable way.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

An unspeakable gift, indeed, that has made us complete in him - 

Colossians 2:10 - "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power"

Wow.

2. Prayer helps us grow up:

We need to pray daily because, quite simply we need to grow up as Christians. Daily prayer is an outward manifestation of our maturation process. The bottom line is you will not grow spiritually if you do not pray.

Contrary to what many Christians seem to believe, prayer is meant to change you not to change God.

God is not our personal genie or a magic wand. We don't pray in an attempt to get God to bend to our will.

God has his will and his will is far greater than our will. His will rules over all of his creation - and that means, well... everything.

When we pray, regardless of what we ask for or pray about it will always be God's will that will be done. It is always God's prerogative to answer or to not answer our prayer.

Remember Jesus Christ praying to God in the garden of Getsemane for what awaited him to pass him by? Did that cup pass him by? No, it did not. God's will was done.

Remembering this grows and strengthen us. Praying knowing this helps us to become stronger so we are better able to do the things that are righteous in the eyes of God.

Praying about our cares, troubles and concerns helps us to become stronger in facing them. Rather than asking for our situation to change we ask God to change us so we can better meet the situations we are dealing with in our lives. We stop praying for "fleshly stuff" or for things in our lives to change and instead pray with the knowledge of God's will in our hearts and our minds. Remembering that His will is always greater than our needs not only brings us closer to God (because knowing his will is knowing his truth and it is what God wants from us -

1 Timothy 2:3-4 - "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

...it also helps grow us up into mature Christians.

3. Prayer strengthens our inner man

We need to pray daily because we need to strengthen our spirit.

Ephesians 3:16-19 says this best:

"16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Praying to know God more deeply, to be given the gift of wisdom and revelation in Christ Jesus and to know the love of Christ absolutely strengthens our inner man, when done with the right heart and with the genuine desire for that to happen. Christ's spirit within us is strengthened and makes us better able to do his will, walk in the spirit more and more (even though we live in the flesh) and grow to love God more than we love ourselves and our lives.

We should all strive for this.

4. Prayer exercises our faith

We need to pray daily because we need to stretch and grow our faith.

When you pray you are talking to the Lord that saved you.

He is real.

He is omnipresent.

He sees into our heart.

He hears us.

Praying believing that we are talking to God and that he hears us is an exercise of faith.  2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight"

Every time you exercise your faith it grows. Every time your faith grows your inner man is strengthened, your fellowship with God gets deeper and stronger and your love for God grows.

1 Corinthians 2:9-11 -
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

5. Prayer reinforces our love for God

We need to pray daily because... we love God.

When we pray in the knowledge that we are praying to the God that loves us so much he sacrificed his Son on the cross to pay our sin debt we cannot help but love him.

2 Cor 5:21- "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

And through God's absolutely free gift of grace - nothing whatsoever needed from us - he has given us everything we could ever hope for or want: a glorious inheritance, an everlasting life with him in heaven.

Titus 2:13 - "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

Praying daily with this in our minds and hearts reinforces what God has done for us and our love for God and for our precious Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, who died for our sin, was buried and resurrected, so that we could live forever.

2 Timothy 4:8 - "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

God has given you riches beyond all measure. He has given it to you as a free gift. Nothing you could do or say could get you what God has freely given to you.

He deserves to hear from us every day, don't you think?

Prayer is the breath of the Christian life and the breath of the Christian.

That, blessed friends, is why, as Christians we need to pray.

Every day.

Clare