Praying With Paul

[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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Leadership Qualities

Passage

1 Timothy 3:1-13

Prayer

Dear Father, Give in whatever measure you please the qualities of elders and deacons to all your people, even to me. Help me desire tasks that are a noble work to you. Help me to live above reproach, to be proper in my family relations, to be temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, sober, and gentle. Help me manage my affairs properly and command the respect of my family and outsiders. Help me serve you well in whatever capacity you allot, that I may gain a good standing and great confidence in my faith in Christ. Keep me from becoming puffed up or conceited. Don't let me fall into the condemnation of the devil. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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Prayer and Good Deeds

Passage

1 Timothy 2:8-14

Prayer

Dear Father, Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly and sensibly and clothe themselves in good deeds, as befits women who profess religion. Actually Lord, may both sexes do both of these. Let prayer and good deeds adorn us and fill our lives. May men and women who are called to follow you relate to each other in perfect submission both to you and to each other. In the name of Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man, who gave his life for us, I pray. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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A Prayer for All

Passage

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Prayer

Dear Father, king of nations and peoples, This is for all people everywhere - We plead for all people because they all need you. We pray for all people because many never talk to you. We intercede for all people because most do not know what to ask. We give thanks for all people for few express gratitude. We thank you for their lives, and we give thanks to you for all that you give them, even though they do not acknowledge you or give thanks to you. We pray for national, regional, and local leaders and all who are in high positions. May they exercise wisdom and justice so that we who follow you may live quiet and peaceable lives, godly and respectful in every way. We know that such prayer is good and acceptable in your sight, because we know that you want everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man, who gave his life for us, I pray. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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The Good Fight of Faith

Passage

1 Timothy 6:20-21, 11-16

Prayer

Dear Father, invisible and immortal God, Guard me that I may guard what you have entrusted to me. Help me to avoid the godless talk and vain reasonings of "knowledge," (which is not real knowledge) lest I miss the mark as regards the faith. Give me the courage and strength to flee from all wickedness and to pursue instead righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Help me fight the good fight of faith. In the name of Jesus and to your glory I lift up this prayer. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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Empowered to Serve

Passage

2 Timothy 1:3-10

Prayer

Dear Father, seer of my inmost thoughts, Give me a clear conscience in my service to you. Then fill my mouth with prayers to you as I intercede for those I love. Let my contacts with them be sources of great joy for all of us. Let the sincere faith of our mothers and fathers and other relatives take root in us and grow. Whatever gift you have given me, help me rekindle it every day and fan it into a flame of service and love for you. Help me live boldly for you, for you did not give me a spirit of timidity but a spirit of love and power and inward strength. Don't let me ever be ashamed of bearing witness about our Lord. Let me take my share of suffering for the gospel and rely on your power. In the name and power of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

The Good Fight of Faith

Passage

1 Timothy 6:20-21, 11-16

Prayer

Dear Father, invisible and immortal God, Guard me that I may guard what you have entrusted to me. Help me to avoid the godless talk and vain reasonings of "knowledge," (which is not real knowledge) lest I miss the mark as regards the faith. Give me the courage and strength to flee from all wickedness and to pursue instead righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Help me fight the good fight of faith. In the name of Jesus and to your glory I lift up this prayer. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Entrusted with Faith

Passage

2 Timothy 1:11-14

Prayer

Dear Father, Give me great faith. Help me know whom I have believed and absolutely know that you are able to guard until that Day what I have entrusted to you and what you have entrusted to me. Thank you for the salvation and holy calling that you have given me. This was not in virtue of my goodness but in virtue of your own purpose and grace. This is what you gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago and have now manifested in the appearing of Christ upon earth. In his name I pray. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Entrusted with Truth

Passage

2 Timothy 1:9-14

Prayer

Dear Father, Thank you that Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to life through the Good News. Help us be true to this message, to teach it and preach it. Help us follow the pattern of sound words which have been given us in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Grant that we may guard the truth you have entrusted to us by the Holy Spirit which you have caused to dwell within us.In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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Saved from an Evil World

Passage

2 Timothy 3:1-9

Prayer

Dear Father, Savior, Undergird me with your grace during the days of stress that are present in these last times. Keep me from going in the direction that people of the world are going. Don't let me be a lover of self, a lover of money, proud and arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents. Don't let me be ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, a slanderer, profligate, fierce, a hater of good, treacherous, reckless. Don't let me be swollen with conceit, a lover of pleasure rather than loving you, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Help me to avoid people who do all these terrible things. Help me to witness to them about your call to change their attitudes.In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
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Escaping Evil, Embracing Truth

Passage

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Prayer

Dear Father, Help me to escape evil passions and to aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with all who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Give me the wisdom to avoid stupid, senseless quarrels and controversies. Help me to be kind and forbearing toward everyone, teaching and correcting with gentleness any who may oppose your doctrine. My God, grant those who are estranged from you in mind to be persuaded by the truth and turn in repentance toward you, that they may escape from the devil after having been captured by him to do his will. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

A Workman Unashamed

Passage

2 Timothy 2:14-21

Prayer

Dear Father, firm foundation, Help me to avoid disputes about words, which does no good, but merely ruins the hearers. Help me do my best to present myself to you for your approval, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling your word of truth. Your firm foundation stands sure, bearing a seal which says two things: "The Lord knows those who are his." "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." You in your sovereign power and omniscience know my acceptability. For my part let me find assurance in my deep desire to do your will. Purify me that I may be a vessel for noble use in your house, consecrated and useful to Christ, the master of the house, ready for any good work. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Endure, Never Deny

Passage

2 Timothy 2:11-13

Prayer

Dear Father, ever faithful God, Thank you for my Savior, Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, as preached in the gospel of your grace. Help me endure all things for the sake of that glorious message. May my words and deeds be a clear witness. May I endure everything for the sake of your elect, that they may obtain salvation and eternal glory. Thank you that I have died with Christ and will also live with him. May I endure, so I might also reign with you. May I never deny you, so you will not deny me. And may I remain faithful to you, as you yourself are faithful. In the name of Jesus, grant me perseverance in your love. I give you my unreserved obedience. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Instilled with Truth

Passage

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Prayer

Dear Father, Let my remembrance and my devotions be set upon Jesus Christ, a descendant of David according to the flesh but an heir of your riches according to his resurrection from the dead. Let me obtain the salvation which in Jesus Christ goes with eternal glory. Instill within me the meaning of your true saying: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself! In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
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[nChrist]

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Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Disciplined for Service

Passage

2 Timothy 2:1-7

Prayer

Dear Father, Make me strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Help me pass your word on to others who also will share it. Help me take my share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ. Help me avoid "civilian" entanglements that would dilute my loyal obedience to Christ, my commander. Help me be a disciplined athlete for you. Help me to be a hard-working farmer who tills in your vineyard, patiently waiting for the harvest that comes from you. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
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[nChrist]

____________________
Praying With Paul
by Eldon Degge
____________________

Entrusted with Faith

Passage

2 Timothy 1:11-14

Prayer

Dear Father, Give me great faith. Help me know whom I have believed and absolutely know that you are able to guard until that Day what I have entrusted to you and what you have entrusted to me.Thank you for the salvation and holy calling that you have given me. This was not in virtue of my goodness but in virtue of your own purpose and grace. This is what you gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago and have now manifested in the appearing of Christ upon earth. In his name I pray. Amen.
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