Several of the letters which Paul wrote he wrote while in
prison. And it's interesting, in his epistles he is always asking people to pray
for him, but his prayer requests are different than I think mine would be if I
were in his situation. In Colossians 4:2-4 he says - "Continue earnestly
in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for
us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of
Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought
to speak." He says something very similar in Ephesians 6:19-20 -
"And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening
of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I
am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak."
In both of these letters, which were written from prison, Paul asks for prayer but he never asks anyone to pray that God would get him out of prison. I think if I were in his situation then that's what I would ask for. But Paul asks them to pray that God would give him wisdom in the things that he says. Paul is the one that God inspired to write Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Paul not only wrote this, but he believed it with all his heart. He knew that God had a reason for sending him to prison, and he knew that that reason was the furtherance of the gospel. He didn't complain or ask God why He would allow him to go to prison, instead he preached the gospel to the guards who were surrounding him.
In Philippians 1:12-13 he writes - "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else." He didn't care that he was in prison, he only rejoiced that the gospel was being spread. And he saw that he had an opportunity to share the gospel with people who no one else had the chance to speak to.
I think that too often we seek deliverance from our circumstances instead of asking God to accomplish His will through them. God never leads us into any situation by accident. He knows what He's doing. Who knows what God wants to accomplish through the trials that He allows to come into our lives?
Paul said in Philippians 4:11 - "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Chains and imprisonment don't sound very comfortable, but Paul was content in that, knowing that God was accomplishing His perfect will through them. And God wants to do the same thing in our lives. He may allow any number of uncomfortable circumstances to come into our lives, and instead of asking God "why is this happening to me?" we need to learn to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and ask God for wisdom to speak according to His will. He may allow some sickness to come into your life in order that you may share the gospel with the doctors who are treating you. He may allow your car to break down on the side of the road tomorrow so that you can witness to the tow truck driver. He may cause you to lose your job or your house, or He may even allow you to be thrown into prison and bound with chains, but He has a purpose for it.
Hebrews 10:32-36 - "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."
In both of these letters, which were written from prison, Paul asks for prayer but he never asks anyone to pray that God would get him out of prison. I think if I were in his situation then that's what I would ask for. But Paul asks them to pray that God would give him wisdom in the things that he says. Paul is the one that God inspired to write Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Paul not only wrote this, but he believed it with all his heart. He knew that God had a reason for sending him to prison, and he knew that that reason was the furtherance of the gospel. He didn't complain or ask God why He would allow him to go to prison, instead he preached the gospel to the guards who were surrounding him.
In Philippians 1:12-13 he writes - "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else." He didn't care that he was in prison, he only rejoiced that the gospel was being spread. And he saw that he had an opportunity to share the gospel with people who no one else had the chance to speak to.
I think that too often we seek deliverance from our circumstances instead of asking God to accomplish His will through them. God never leads us into any situation by accident. He knows what He's doing. Who knows what God wants to accomplish through the trials that He allows to come into our lives?
Paul said in Philippians 4:11 - "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Chains and imprisonment don't sound very comfortable, but Paul was content in that, knowing that God was accomplishing His perfect will through them. And God wants to do the same thing in our lives. He may allow any number of uncomfortable circumstances to come into our lives, and instead of asking God "why is this happening to me?" we need to learn to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and ask God for wisdom to speak according to His will. He may allow some sickness to come into your life in order that you may share the gospel with the doctors who are treating you. He may allow your car to break down on the side of the road tomorrow so that you can witness to the tow truck driver. He may cause you to lose your job or your house, or He may even allow you to be thrown into prison and bound with chains, but He has a purpose for it.
Hebrews 10:32-36 - "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."
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