Topical Bible: The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Pray For

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of spiritual gifts is a significant theme within the New Testament, emphasizing the diverse ways in which the Holy Spirit empowers believers for the edification of the Church and the glorification of God. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, particularly highlights the importance of these gifts and encourages believers to earnestly seek and pray for them.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides a foundational understanding of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, where he writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." . This passage underscores the diversity and unity of spiritual gifts, all originating from the same Spirit and intended for the benefit of the Church.

Encouragement to Pray for Spiritual Gifts

Paul explicitly encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, he exhorts, "Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." . This directive suggests that while love is paramount, the pursuit of spiritual gifts is also vital for the life of the Church. The emphasis on prophecy indicates the value placed on gifts that edify and build up the community of believers.

Purpose of Praying for Spiritual Gifts

The purpose of praying for spiritual gifts is twofold: to strengthen the individual believer and to edify the Church. In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul explains that Christ "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." . This passage highlights the role of spiritual gifts in equipping believers for service and fostering unity and maturity within the Church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the source and distributor of spiritual gifts. In Romans 8:26, Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." . This verse illustrates the Spirit's active role in guiding believers in prayer, including the prayer for spiritual gifts.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual gifts through prayer, aligning their desires with God's will and the needs of the Church. James 1:5 provides a broader principle applicable to seeking spiritual gifts: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." . This assurance of God's generosity in response to prayer can be extended to the pursuit of spiritual gifts.

Conclusion

The call to pray for spiritual gifts is an invitation to participate in the divine work of building up the Church. Through prayer, believers express their dependence on the Holy Spirit and their willingness to be used for God's purposes. The pursuit of these gifts, grounded in love and guided by the Spirit, serves to glorify God and advance His kingdom on earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 7:7,11
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:23,24
And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Need of Men who Pray
... So he who seeks God's good gifts must practice ... prayer, whether layman or preacher,
is God's right-hand ... In the realm of spiritual affairs, he creates conditions ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm

The Work of God's Spirit
... your methodists; so what is the use of praying for spiritual gifts to God ... The devil
certainly did not make me so, therefore GOD must ... These, too, are His gifts?'. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iv the work of.htm

Ninth Lesson. Pray the Lord of the Harvest;'
... But the supply and distribution of the gifts depend on ... make us feel how really we
are God's fellow-workers ... O give us to see aright the spiritual realities of ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/ninth lesson pray the lord.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... so had they and so have we our spiritual treasure as ... 12:4, 5, 6); adding that all
these gifts are of ... the same Lord, and these operations of the God who worketh ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm

The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is ...
... The things for our spiritual life God has freely ... lightly regard them that they offer
no thanks to their Creator; but on the other hand, His gifts of gold ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 3.htm

In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ...
... plans, of scholarly attainments, of eloquent gifts, of taking ... for the absence of
the higher spiritual power which ... work of bringing glory to God, controlling the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter viii in gods name.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... What spiritual life can you get for yourselves without God? ... because of their deeds
of darkness, hate the light, and refuse to acknowledge the gifts of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

Our Knocking
... set themselves up for very lofty and spiritual Christians who ... that I shall force
my will upon God, but that I ... says: 'he knows how to give good gifts,' and 'so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/our knocking.htm

Twelfth Lesson. Have Faith in God;'
... I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask ... full liberty to take them,
the spiritual power is ... We seek God's gifts: God wants to give us HIMSELF first ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/twelfth lesson have faith in.htm

My God Will Hear Me
... request, and to bestow all the heavenly gifts of the ... It is a spiritual mystery"nothing
less than the mystery of ... God hears because we pray in His Son, because ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm