The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-11-22
improved Uniform International
Si11nldayScfloel
' Lesson '
(By REV. P B FITZWATER. DID. Dean
Moody Bible institute of Chicago.)
20. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for November Is
THE PRAYERS OF PAUL

LESSON TEXT-Acts 20:36-3S: Rom.
1910; Eph 1853; 3:14-21.
GOLDEN TEXT-Rejoice always:
pray without ceasing; in everything
give thanks
PRIMARY ToP1c-Paul Prays for
His Friends.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Prays for His
Friends.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Paul as a Man of Prayer.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Place of Prayer in PauPs
Life.
His prayer life most really reveals
the character of man. PauPs
prayers explained the power and eff
cheney of his wonderful ministry. The
careful study of these prayers will
give us strength, guidance and peace
as we go about life's duties. The
prayer meeting, believers getting to-
gether to pray, has characterized the
Christian church throughout its his
tory.
|. Paul's Prayer with the Ephesian
Elders (Acts 20 :36-3S).
Having met with these elders and
pointed out to them the perils which
confronted them and set forth their
responsibility, he knelt down and
prayed with them before going to Jeru-
salem, where bonds and Affections
awaited him. They all wept sore and
fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
knowing that this was to be the last
sight of him. When believers pray
and weep together, they will definitely
work together.
II. Paul Praying for the Romans
(Romans 1910.
l. lie thanked God for their world
famed faith ". 81. The true minister
has no greater occasion for gratitude
than the knowledge of genuine faith
possessed by followers of Christ.
2. He prayed for them continual
ly ". 81.
Knowing the far-reaching influence
Of the church at Rome, he increasingly
prayed for them that their influence
might be most widely felt.
8. His supreme burden in prayer
was for a successful journey to Rome
". 10).
He desired to visit Rome in order
that he might impart some spiritual
gift to the believers there and also
TO receive some spiritual help from
them. The true minister receives a
reflex blessing from those to whom he
ministers.
III. Paul Praying for the Ephesians.
1. For knowledge concerning Christ
(Eph. 1:15-23).
He besought God that the believers
at Ephesus might know ID The hope
of their calling ". 81. Unfaithfulness
on the part of believers is frequently
Que to their lack of true under
standing of their calling. The right
understanding of the Christians hope
will make steadfast the lives of be-
levers. (2) The riches of the glory
of Gods Inheritance in the saints
| ". 1S). 1t is marvellous to know that
the saint has an inheritance in God,
! but it is more marvellous that God has
an inheritance in the saints. 90 The
greatness of Christ's power to usward
wv. 1929. This mighty power was
| demonstrated in the resurrection of
Christ from the dead. The same power
which gave the victory over the grave
I is available for believers.
2. For strength (Eph. 3:14-2D.
This prayer was made to God who
is the Father of His great family in
heaven and in earth. He prayed that
the believers might be strengthened
with might in their inner man, with
the object of being indwelt by Christ.
If Christ is to be entertained, the
temple needs the divine strengthening.
Where the house is strong enough,
Christ will come and abide. Likewise,
that they might be rooted and grounded
in love (v. ~. This establishment
! in the love of Christ is needed by all
so as to prevent them from being
turned aside by every wind of doc
trine. Also, that they might compre-
bend the love of Christ ". 49,. This
love is wonderful in it's dimensions
in it's depth, breadth, width and height,
it transcends human understanding
the object being that the believer
might be filled unto the fullness of
God ". 19). This does not mean that
the believer can hold God, but that he
can be so related to God that the
infinite resources are at his command