Gleanings from Paul: His Prayer

by Arthur W. Pink

▶ DESCRIPTION
How blessed it is to hear some aged saint, who has long walked with God and enjoyed intimate communion with Him, pouring out his heart before Him in adoration and supplication. But how much more blessed should we esteem it could we have listened to the utterances of those who accompanied with Christ in person during the days when He tabernacled in this scene. And if one of the apostles were still here upon earth what a high privilege we should deem it to hear him engage in prayer! Such a high privilege that most of us would be willing to go to considerable inconvenience and to travel a long distance in order to be thus favored. And if our desire were granted, how closely we would listen to his words, how diligently we would seek to treasure them up in our memories. Well, no such inconvenience, no such journey, is required: it has pleased the Holy Spirit to record quite a number of the apostolic prayers for our instruction and satisfaction. Do we evidence our appreciation of such a boon? Have we ever made a list of them and meditated upon their import?

▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Prayer and Praise
3. Instruction in Prayer
4. Prayer in Hope
5. Prayer for Peace
6. Prayer for Insight
7. Prayer for Weaker Brothers
8. Prayer Concerning Tribulation
9. Prayer in Affliction
10. Prayer of Benediction
11. Prayer of Gratitude
12. Prayer for Faith and Knowledge
13. Prayer for Understanding
14. Prayer for Spiritual Apprehension
15. Prayer for Appreciation of Christ’s Triumph
16. Prayer of Adoration
17. Prayer for Inner Strength
18. Prayer for Christ-centeredness
19. Prayer for Comprehension of God’s Love
20. Prayer of Doxology
21. Prayer for Discerning Love
22. Prayer for Fruits of Righteousness
23. Prayer for a Worthy Walk
24. Prayer for Long-suffering
25. Prayer for Joy and Thankfulness.
26. Prayer for Brotherly Love
27. Prayer for Sanctification of the Young Saints
28. Prayer for Persevering Grace: Occasion and Importunity
29. Prayer for Persevering Grace: Petition, Design, Accomplishment
30. Prayer for Comfort and Stability
31. Prayer for Love Toward God
32. Prayer for Patience
33. Prayer of Worship
34. Paul’s Prayer for Philemon.
35. Other Books

▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian, New Testament, Prayer

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 1967

About the author

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.

In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.

In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.

After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.

Reviews

[Richard Klueg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this as a "devotional" to read while eating breakfast each morning, reading a section a day. Helpful insights!

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I read it slowly, more like a devotional companion in my prayer times.

[Amy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. It is so excellent that I am now reading it to go more slowly and chew it better. I don't know when I have read a better book on prayer.

I recommend this book to every Christian.

[Russell Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work but not as stellar as the typology of his Old Testament books.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much in this book that for me to do a decent summary of it would be a book in itself. Definitely worth reading. His insight is incredible. He seems to aim to stir up the mind and the heart equally. Basically goes through every prayer that Paul prays in the NT and draws rich reformed theology out of it.

[Todd Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read anything from Pink that was not good. This book covered the prayers of Paul in great depth.

[Valerie Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent surprise of a book. the title doesn't do it justice... and never looked to read subtitle. goes through all of Paul's prayers in his letters. so so good! big recommend!