Here, the Holy Spirit through Paul tells us to pray for our leaders in the Church. In this case it was for Paul, Silas and Timothy.

Why did Paul have to ask them for prayer, seeing that Paul himself was a man who prayed much and his prayers were very effective (Act. 16.25)?

Paul had to ask for more prayer because the more people that pray in unity in the Spirit, the greater the measure of the power of God that is released into the earth (Eph. 3:20).

Deuteronomy 32:30(KJV) *How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up?*

Paul and, incidentally, all leaders who are, as it were, on the front lines of spiritual warfare are under constant, severe and intense spiritual attack and so need more spiritual power released on their behalf to overcome the Satanic attacks coming against them (2Cor. 12:7-10; 2Cor.11:23-27).

Furthermore, the more people that pray for them in faith, unity and in the Spirit (not just praying with much talking but little or no faith – Matt. 6:7), the faster their deliverance will come, because of the increase in spiritual power released on their behalf.

Hebrews 13:18-19(KJV) *Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.*

So it is crucial, especially now, in these perilous times (2Tim. 3:1) to pray frequently, systematically in faith, unity and in the Spirit for our leaders, both for their deliverance and ours, because if they are hurt or killed prematurely, it can delay the purpose of God and possibly, abort our own spiritual progress and blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5.25