“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
Colossians 1:9
Paul’s epistle to the believers in Colosse contains a wonderful model prayer that we are invited not only to contemplate, but to offer up for ourselves and others. The first thing we notice about Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is that it was offered regularly and consistently. The petitioner was the same man who instructed us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Later in this same epistle he will instruct his readers to “continue in prayer” (Colossians 4:2), an imperative he shared with other Christian communities as well (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18). The first of Paul’s petitions is that those he is praying for will come to know what the will of God is for them. “My sheep hear my voice,” said Jesus (John 10:27), and we may be very sure that if we ask Him for clear direction in life, with believing hearts of course (James 1:5-7), He will give us what we seek (Matthew 7:7). Paul prayed that the Colossians would “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (1:10).In other words, Paul desired that Christians would not only know the will of God, but that they would order their conduct accordingly. Our obedience is the sincerest expression of love for the God Who loved us first (John 14:15, 21; 1 John 4:19). Paul’s words also indicate that it is through obedience to the known will of God that our knowledge of God Himself will increase. Paul continues, “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” (1:11). Here Paul requests that believers be granted supernatural strength in order to live God-honoring, productive lives. He was also concerned that believers did so with the right attitude and heart position. Paul asks that God would grant the requisite strength, not out of His own power, but “according to His glorious power.” He concludes by asking that the Colossians be continually “giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12). We know that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). The high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, Who dwells in the high and holy place, is with those who have a humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15). Adopting an attitude of gratitude is the surest way to maintaining a humble heart position before the Lord. This should not be too difficult either, not when we consider what great things the Lord has promised us. We who were once enemies of God by wicked works in our minds (Colossians 1:21) He has made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). Hallelujah!
God bless,
pastor john
English