Prayer - 2 Corinthians 1-3

 2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

The above passage comes at the end of a paragraph that Paul has written to the church at Corinth.   Paul has expressed to them the great suffering and affliction that was presented to him on his various missionary journeys.   Paul was being attacked on a variety of levels, both from the Roman world and the from the leaders of the Jewish faith.   Those who would want Paul’s fame and position were using Paul’s affliction as evidence that he was not a real apostle (read chapter 11).   But, Paul has been delivered from many of these dangers. Note the verse just before the above verse requesting prayer:

2 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Paul’s hope was set on God’s deliverance from all these attacks and hostility toward him.   But, he knows that this deliverance will only be advanced by the prayers of the saints.    This is the formula for Paul to live victoriously in this ministry God has blessed him to live.   He knows that the blessings of his ministry will come as a result of many prayers.    He is not flexing his own muscles to them.  He is flexing the power of prayer in the lives of the saints.    

When Paul writes to the church about the armor of God his last piece of that weaponry is prayer. Note:

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

... praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

This is Paul’s offensive weapon.   He has the sword of the Spirit and the prayers of the saints to attack the evilness around him.   Prayer is a collective weapon we can use to defeat Satan and his unholy host.   As we pray for the saints God is able to move His amazing mercy, grace and peace into their lives and empower them and protect them.  Prayer is the weapon we use to support them.  Our prayers are the most powerful tool we can use to support the ministry of the Gospel.