2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 13:7,14, Short Prayers

Today’s post is a bit different in that we want to note three short prayers.  They give us simple prayers for particular situations.

2 Cor. 1:3-4, A Prayer of Praise

In this chapter Paul is giving a report on recent trials in his life and ministry, and they involve a near-death situation.  He is talking about trials, but wants to be sure the Corinthian believers don’t think he is calling himself a “victim.”  They need to know about the trials so they know why Paul has not been able to come to see them.  But he also wants them to know these trials were of great benefit to the glory of God.  Therefore, he introduces the narrative with a prayer of praise.  As in our last post, this prayer has no request.  It makes a statement about God.  We need to know how to make prayers like this, where we bless God, giving Him credit for the way He takes us or has taken us through a trial. 

Notice the connection between doctrine and life.  Paul has experienced God’s comfort in tribulation, and through it has been able to comfort others.  He blesses God because He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.  For us, this is a great way to pray, to simply bless the Lord, as part of a testimony we are sharing.

2 Corinthians 13:7, A Prayer for “Validity” in Ministry

Paul’s prayer is short and sweet: I pray to God that you do no evil.  That’s a prayer that we might pray in many situations, including our growing or grown children.  But in this context, it is a ministry prayer.  For four chapters Paul has been affirming his role as an Apostle of Christ.  The argument is not what people were used to hearing.  His main evidence is the way he has suffered in the service of Christ.  He has not touted the big crowds he attracted or his great books of sermons.  It’s his suffering and his hard work.  He wants them to know that he is qualified, not disqualified (13:6).  He prays they will not sin, even though it might appear to them that he is disqualified.  In ministry we need people to accept the ministry of Christ through us.  We should pray that they will, as Paul does here.

2 Corinthians 13:14, A Benediction

I remember as a child that my father concluded every Sunday morning worship service by quoting this prayer.  The sound doctrine is amazing.  The “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” comes first, for by that we know the “love of God” the Father.  The “communion” of the Holy Spirit is the Greek koinonia, fellowship.  It is not what we experience in the body of Christ but the intimate relationship with God through the New Covenant.  This prayer requests that they be “with” us in the sense of their active presence.  Why don’t we pray this prayer when we part company with believers?  Look at what was available from the Lord for the believers: grace, love and His deep, abiding presence.