Clearly, Paul is counting on the intercession of prayer in these texts, as well as in Phlm. To prepare a guest room for him and to pray for his release symbolize their share in the mission work to which he himself is committed, for he will come to them not only as friend, but as apostle. The two parties are connected in some way. This connectedness seems to be presupposed in Philemon. This is why Paul instructs the Philemon s community to petition God in prayer.
Divine favor stands behind the gift given.
It also has the meaning of granting something or somebody to someone. Paul's release from imprisonment depends on an act of generosity of God's part, in which their prayers would be important, however, the outcome rests entirely in God's hands. The presence or parousia of the apostle was important to the early Christian communities because of the relationship between Paul and the communities. Paul often established the churches and played a key role in the conversion of Christians, as he had with Philemon and Onesimus. As an apostle, Paul represented authority and was a source for guidance, scriptural interpretation, and inspiration.