1 Corinthians 4:14-21Dear Father, king of the ages,I am proud to be your child, and I want to listen carefully to your admonition. Help me to listen to you through the words of my spiritual fathers in the faith, your apostles. May I imitate them!Remind me of their ways in Christ. From them and through them may I learn that the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.Come to me, LORD, to chasten me and change me. But please show your love in a spirit of gentleness, rather than with the fierce rod of your anger.I renounce all egotistical thinking and all arrogant talk. I turn my heart and mind toward you and submit my life! You, Father, are my God, my LORD, my Savior! You are worthy of all my love and obedience.In the name of Jesus I submit to your authority and ask your blessings to continue forever. Amen.Ⓒ 1996-2025 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. Heartlight appreciates Eldon Degge and Meridian Publishing for permission to make this available on our website. Praying with Paul is also available as a book.

1 Corinthians 4:8-13Dear Father, king of the ages,Would that your people were already filled! Would that they were already rich! Would that they were already kings and sharing the reign with each other! For then I would be sharing in it too.We know all this grandeur awaits us in the kingdom that is to come, but for now, give us the endurance to follow your apostles in a parade that is a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Many are strong, but we may have to put up with weakness. Many are held in honor, but we may be held in disrepute. We may have to be hungry and thirsty, ill-clad, buffeted and homeless, and we may have to do toilsome labor with our hands.When I am reviled, help me to bless in return. When I am persecuted, help me endure. When I am slandered, help me be conciliatory. To follow your apostles in this parade, I am willing to become the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things!In the name of Jesus, give me a willing heart! Amen.Ⓒ 1996-2025 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. Heartlight appreciates Eldon Degge and Meridian Publishing for permission to make this available on our website. Praying with Paul is also available as a book.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7Dear Father,Help me to live according to your Holy Scriptures. That is why I pray to you in their very words. I want to be conformed to your will, for you will what is best for me. Help me not to be puffed up against my brothers and sisters in Christ. For who sees any difference in me. We all have been freely justified by your grace, forgiven of our sins.What have I that I have not been given? I cannot boast of anything as if it were not a gift. Whatever I am or have, Father, you have given. I would not be addressing this prayer to you if you had not called me to be your servant, your child, and your warrior in prayer.Thank you for calling me. Thank you for all your gifts. You are so gracious, so kind, so bountiful, so wonderful. My God, let me walk humbly with you all my days.In the name of Jesus, who calls us to his own kingdom and glory. Amen.Ⓒ 1996-2025 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. Heartlight appreciates Eldon Degge and Meridian Publishing for permission to make this available on our website. Praying with Paul is also available as a book.

1 Corinthians 4:5Dear Father, who drives away all the darkness,Keep me from passing judgment before the proper time, before the LORD comes, for he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of every person's heart, including mine. And so everyone will receive appropriate commendation from you.Let me be concerned about "this day" and "that day." Let me do my best to serve you "this day" - today, that I may stand before you on "that day" - your day of reckoning!It is by Jesus' authority and in his name that I offer up this prayer. Amen.Ⓒ 1996-2025 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. Heartlight appreciates Eldon Degge and Meridian Publishing for permission to make this available on our website. Praying with Paul is also available as a book.

1 Corinthians 4:1-4Dear Father, judge of all mankind,Help me be a profitable slave to you and good steward of your mysteries. As a steward may I be found trustworthy.May I not be concerned about being judged by human beings or by any human court. May I not even set in judgment on myself. Only you do that. I am not aware of anything against myself, but that, I understand, in and of itself, does not acquit me before you. You are my judge. You can condemn. And you can and will make me stand.It is by Jesus' authority and in his name that I offer up this prayer. Amen.Ⓒ 1996-2025 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. Heartlight appreciates Eldon Degge and Meridian Publishing for permission to make this available on our website. Praying with Paul is also available as a book.