God doesn't demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules; he only wants his people to know him more intimately, says top-selling author D. A. Carson. The apostle Paul found that spiritual closeness in his own fellowship with the Father. By following Paul's example, we can do the same. This book calls believers to reject superficiality and revolutionize their lives by embracing a God-guided approach to prayer. Previously published as A Call to Spiritual Reformation, this book has now been updated to connect more effectively with contemporary readers. A study guide, DVD, and leader's kit for the book are available through Lifeway and The Gospel Coalition.

Carson calls believers to revolt against superficiality and find again the deeper knowledge of God at Paul's school of prayer. Strong expositional study.

Inspiration from the Apostle Paul on how to pray bold, exciting prayers. Inspiration from the Apostle Paul on how to pray bold, exciting prayers. So many of us struggle with prayer. Many books have been written on the subject and there’s a reason for that. Prayer comes hard to most of us, in most seasons. And when we do pray, we often don't know what to say. What is it that my Father loves to hear about? What are the best things I could pray for my family, my church, and myself? This short book by renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg combines warmth, clarity, humour, and practicality as he examines Paul’s prayers for his friends in the church in Ephesus. Paul clearly enjoyed prayer, and was excited about it. He expected his Father in heaven to hear what he said, and to act in other people’s lives accordingly. The truths that underpin and shape his prayers will motivate us to pray and set us an example. So be inspired by the Apostle Paul to pray bigger and better prayers as we look to our heavenly Father to do more than all we ask or imagine!

Why study and pray the prayers of the Apostle Paul? One word: transformation. Of the many benefits we have in learning from Paul, a few stand out:1. We see how the Holy Spirit wants us to pray. Scripture provides a wealth of prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit, each of them giving a glimpse into the unsearchable wisdom of Almighty God. These prayers should shape our priorities and our entire outlook on life. So often, we pray such small, self-centered prayers instead of asking how God would have us pray. As we read and pray Paul's prayers, God will work His purposes in us as we contemplate what Paul prayed for and why. Paul prayed for the eyes of Ephesian hearts enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) and rejoiced in the rich fellowship he had with the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13). When was the last time you prayed for either of those things? Spurgeon illustrates why we want to pray according to God's priorities: "A man might try to fill us and fail, but God, who made us, knows every corner and cranny of our nature, and can pour in joy and peace till every portion of our being is flooded, saturated, and overflowed with delight."2. We can pray along with Paul confident of God's answers. Praying God's prayers according to God's priorities means we can be sure of God's answers. This doesn't mean He will answer as we expect, but it does mean God will answer prayers according to His will as He promises (1 John 5:14). Since Scripture is His revealed will, praying Paul's prayers guarantee God's answers.Let this sink into your soul. As you earnestly pray for God to strengthen your faith to grasp the depths and riches of Christ's love (Ephesians 3:14-19), God will answer you--He wants you to experience the profundity of Christ's love. "Expect great things, expect things beyond all expectation," Spurgeon writes. "Your largest hopes shall all be exceeded. Hope, and hope, and yet hope again, and each time hope more and more, but the Lord will give you more than you have hoped for."3. Our minds will be enlightened and affections stirred. As we contemplate the prayers and petitions of the great apostle, God's Spirit will illuminate the prayers and shape the desires of our heart. Instead of merely praying for circumstances and our to-dos, our hearts will pray for things like the filling of our minds with "the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..." (Colossians 1:9-10). As we pray prayers like this and see God answer us, our hearts will be drawn into deeper delight and communion with our Father.As you pick up Lessons from the Prayers of the Apostle Paul, let the Holy Spirit mentor you in prayer as you enter into Paul's prayer closet. This isn't a comprehensive study on Paul's prayers, but rather eight sermons working through rich nuggets from Paul's prayers. Don't read this book to finish; read to change. Note helpful verses and quotes and incorporate them into your daily prayer routine. Put down the book and get on your knees. Cry out to God in worship, dependence, and intercession. He will hear you and He will answer.The prayer of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11 is our prayer for this volume:"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."The Editors at Cross-Points BooksSchaumburg, ILJanuary 2018

Pray the prayers of the Apostle Paul and see your life transformed!The Apostle Paul prayed passionate prayers which ignited the lives of the earliest followers of Jesus. Wendy Bowen shares inspiring thoughts about Paul’s prayers and how they establish the foundation of our faith and the Kingdom of God in our hearts. His prayers will empower you with confidence to know that you are praying God’s will and moving into greater levels of His glory.Deepen your understanding of God’s power, love, and blessings. Receive fresh revelation about how to pray, what to pray for, and how to align with God’s redemptive purposes in every situation. Experience the glory of God in your own life!

Learn a better way to pray! This powerful devotional/journal looks at each prayer of the Apostle Paul and offers insights into how to pray his principles for those you care about. Includes space to design a prayer to pray for someone.