Jesus taught us how to Pray. Jesus taught us how to fast and pray as well, One thing that strengthens our prayer is to be specific.Based on our needs, we are often requested by others to pray for them, but as Christians how should we pray for a new believer or someone who is looking to be strengthen in Faith ? In the book of Ephesians Paul teaches us on how to pray.
The book of Ephesians was written to the Chruch of Ephesus, who were considered very righteous and Paul‘s intent of this letter was to strengthen them with the encouragement so that they fight the spiritual battles that comes against them. Also note Chruch of Ephesus is mentioned in Revelation 2, it’s the first church that’s mentioned in one of the seven churches, which makes the people of this church holy and God looks at them high. Revelation 2:1 (NIV) ' “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. '
How to Pray for New Believer
Ephesians 1:15-17 (NIV) 'For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ‘
Thank God - When we hear anyone who is getting back in faith in Jesus, We have to thank God for getting them into the Faith of Christ. Ephesians 1:15-16 ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
Continue to Remember in Prayer - We continue to remember them in our prayers, we cannot assume they will be strengthen in Faith and stop praying for them, As Satan is a devouring lion looking for young believers to be separated from the Faith of Christ, thats why we have to remember them in our prayers “Ephesians 1:16(b) …remembering you in my prayers”
Prayer to Protect the Past - Pray for them to be protected from the past life, As they come into Christian living there will be struggles and God will help us succeed them thru the Faith in Jesus, But Satan will remind us how the past life was better than the current. He will compare the life of the worldly vs the Christian living to woo them to the Sinful past 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) 'Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. '. We have to pray for their past life so that they don’t return there.. Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) '“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. '
Pray for Spirit of wisdom / Revelation (Discernment Spirit) Pray for God to give Spirit of wisdom & revelation, a wisdom of Discernment Spirit that will make them understand how to walk in times of trouble, discern what comes from God vs Satan. Ephesians 1:17 … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better
Pray for their heart may be enlightened - Pray to God to protect the Current Situation where their Physical eyes (or ears) cannot see (or hear), So that the deeper truths of the Spiritual realms which are blocked by Satan from maturing are opened up and God’s word reaches them Ephesians 1:18 'I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ‘
So when we pray for them. God recuses us as he outlined in Acts 26:18 'to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ '
Example of how Elisha prayed and it was opened eyes of King of Israel and his men, when they were surrounded by armies of horses and chariots. 2 Kings 6:15-18 'When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord , so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. '
Prayer to Guide according to his Will - Pray for God’s will be revealed to them, God has many plans for a new believer, Satan’s work is to prevent the new believer from receiving the God’s will and derail them - “Ephesians 1:19 (a) you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people”
Pray for God’s Power to me manifested - Pray for God’s power be manifested in them, New living translation of “NLT Translation of Ephesians 1:19 (b) - I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power “, When we pray, God is gracious to give us the following Powers
God will give the new believer the Same power that raised Jesus from Dead “Ephesians 1:20 he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms”
God will give the new believer the Same power to help overcome the powers of Satan - “Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion…”
God will give the Power disarm all powers of Satan that works against us, God can do this by his work in the Cross Colossians 2:14-15 'having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. '
God will give power to crush satan under his feet Romans 16:20 'The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. '
Pray to have this believer be filled as the body of Chruch. - Once we are baptised and saved, Our soul is attached to his Church of Christ, his body that fills us with everything in every way, The daily life we lead God looks to cleanse us like how Christ’s body is and make us more spiritual and holy to reach to God’s planned purpose - Ephesians 1:23 'which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.'
I encourage all of you to follow Paul's example, not only in praying for new believers but also in seeking spiritual growth for yourselves. These are valuable aspects to contemplate in our prayer life and to draw strength from God's work in our lives.