raying, we have a number of distinct prayers in which Paul gives
utterance to his heart's desire for those to whom he writes. In these we
see that his first desire was always that they might be "established" in
the Christian life. Much as he praised God when he heard of conversion,
he knew how feeble the young converts were, and how for their
establishing nothing would avail without the grace of the Spirit prayed
down. If we notice some of the principal of these prayers we shall see
what he asked and obtained.

Take the two prayers in Ephesians--the one for light, the other for
strength. In the former (i. 15), he prays for the Spirit of wisdom to
enlighten them to know what their calling was, what their inheritance,
what the mighty power of God working in them. Spiritual enlightenment
and knowledge was their great need, to be obtained for them by prayer.
In the latter (iii. 15) he asks that the power they had been led to see
in Christ might work in them, and they be strengthened with Divine
might, so as to have the indwelling Christ, and the love that passeth
knowledge, and the fulness of God actually come on them. These were
things that could only come direct from heaven; these were things he
asked and expected. If we want to learn Paul's art of intercession, we
must ask nothing less for believers in our days.

Look at the prayer in Philippians (i. 9-11). There, too, it is first for
spiritual knowledge; then comes a blameless life, and then a fruitful
life to the glory of God. So also in the beautiful prayer in Colossians
(i. 9-11). First, spiritual knowledge and understanding of God's will,
then the strengthening with all might to all patience and joy.

Or take the two prayers in 1 Thessalonians (iii. 12, 13, and v. 23). The
one: "God so increase your love to one another, that He may stablish
your _hearts unblameable in holiness_." The other: "God _sanctify you
wholly_, and preserve you blameless." The very words are so high that we
hardly understand, still less believe, still less experience what they
mean. Paul so lived in the heavenly world, he was so at home in the
holiness and omnipotence of God and His love, that such prayers were the
natural expression of what he knew God could and would do. "God stablish
your hearts unblameable in holiness," "God sanctify you wholly"--the man
who believes in these things and desires them, will pray for them for
others. The prayers are all a proof that he seeks for them the ve