Praying God's Word: Prayers of Paul (Part 2)Sample

PRAY EXPECTANTLY – GOD IS FAITHFUL 

1 Corinthians 1:7b-9 – Eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul thanks God for the gifts among the Corinthians, even though they were causing some trouble. He recognizes the gifts were not the problem but wrong attitudes and beliefs about the gifts.

The Corinthian Christians were indeed gifted, yet carnal. “Should it not show us that gifts are nothing, unless they are laid on the altar of God; that it is nothing to have the gift of oratory; that it is nothing to have the power of eloquence; that it is nothing to have learning; that it is nothing to have influence, unless they all be dedicated to God, and consecrated to his service?” (Spurgeon)

The Corinthian Christians had their strong points, and they had their weak points. Paul praises God for their positives and expresses confidence that God will take care of their weak points, and confirm them to the end so that they would be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How can Paul be confident of this when the Corinthian church has so many problems? He can be confident because God is faithful. He is the One who has called them into the fellowship of His Son, so He is the One who will confirm them to the end and present them blameless.

His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: In these first 10 verses, Paul refers to Jesus in every verse, for a total of 11 times. In this emphasis on Jesus, Paul promotes the sure cure for the problems of the Corinthians: getting your eyes off self and on Jesus.

Prompt: Pray 1 Corinthians 1:7-9. Instead of criticizing or complaining about a difficult brother or sister today, take time to thank God for the good work He has already done in their life. Trust God to take care of their weaknesses.

Based on the Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.