PAUL’S HEARTFELT PRAYERS (2)

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU” – Colossians 1:9

Equally significant as his prayers for the Ephesians are PAUL’S HEARTFELT PRAYERS for the Colossians: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col.1:9-10). There are some lessons we can learn from these heartfelt prayers of Apostle Paul.

Paul prayed for those he had not personally met (v.9a). He had only “heard about” them, yet didn’t cease praying for them! Paul was writing to a Church that he had never visited, yet he assured them that he had added them to his prayer list and was interested in their spiritual well-being! How extensive is our praying? Are all our petitions about our families, Church, needs and circle of friends? Legitimate all, but if that’s the extent of our praying, we’re parochial and our world is very small and selfish!

Paul prayed for them unceasingly – regularly (v.9b). In his regular, disciplined times of prayer, he made it his business to bring others to God in prayer (Rom.1:9-10). Such unceasing, heartfelt prayer should encourage us to learn persistence in prayers.

Paul prayed for them to be filled with the Knowledge of God’s Will (v.9c). The Will of God could be with regard to our lives, future, career, marriage partner, job, or location. We definitely need His guidance in these matters! However, beyond self-centredness which thinks of the Lord’s Will primarily in term of our needs, God’s Will is what He has decreed: “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness” (Psa.143:10). And it is our responsibility to do it. The psalmist didn’t say “Teach me Your will,” but “Teach me TO DO Your will”! The more our minds grasp the truth of God’s Word, the more our character is molded by what He thinks, the more we will know and practise His Will (Rom.12:1-2; Eph. 5:15-17).

Paul prayed that they might be utterly pleasing to the Lord (v.10). His prayers emphasized spiritual growth and maturity. This implies that we need to watch our actions and reactions, our conduct and our speaking so that we avoid bringing shame on the name of our Lord but rather live worthy of Him. But we cannot live lives that are pleasing to the Lord unless we know what His Will is; hence, the knowledge of God’s Will is not an end in itself; pleasing Him is the goal.

Finally, Paul portrayed four typical marks of the maturing Christian; a life that pleases the Lord and is worthy of Him (vv.10b-12a).

(a) Bearing fruit in every good work: We are saved by grace through faith but for a purpose – “for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph.2:10). We are not made acceptable to God by doing good works, but good works are the fruit of our spiritual life!

(b) Growing in the knowledge of God: There is no concept in the New Testament of the normal Christian life being static! Growth is a Must! We often want God to tell us new things to do even while not obeying what we already know!

(c) Showing great endurance and patience. The modern man craves fast-foods, quick results, jackpots, and pleasure, no pressure. The Believer is enabled to trust in God and survive and thrive with joy even when persecuted. Such a life pleases the Lord and is worthy of Him.

(d) Giving Joyful Thanks to the Father: To neglect thankfulness to God is like slapping Him in the face, considering all that He has done for us (vv.12-14). In the light of this salvation which God has given us, the only appropriate response is Joyful Thanks!

Can we begin to pray like this for each other and for ourselves?