Colossians 1:9
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
I am ashamed to admit that I have often promised to pray for someone—even had the best intentions to do so—but became busy and forgot my promise. Because of this I have made a separate file to visit and pray for requests.
That being said, what kind of prayers should we offer up? The book of Colossians was one of the four letters that Paul wrote from prison. The other three are Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon.
Paul had heard of the faith of the church in Colossae and this letter was sent to be an encouragement to their faith in the face of persecution. In today’s Scripture Paul says he is praying for “God to fill them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
In the next few verses Paul becomes very specific in what he anticipates as the result of his prayer. Let me list four of them for you:
- Bear fruit in every good work.
- Grow in the knowledge of God.
- Be strengthened with God’s power for endurance and patience.
- Joyfully give thanks to the Lord.
Do you observe these qualities in your own spiritual life? I fear that our walk with the Lord is very superficial. We want what will make us feel good or get us out of a difficult situation rather than what will be to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
The next question I direct to myself as well as to you: How do we pray for others? How do you think Paul would pray for the church in our day and age?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil