Hello saints,
Today, let’s learn from Paul how and what to pray for other believers:
“For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Colossians 1:9
While Paul endured the trial of being in prison in Rome, he received some exciting news brought to him by Epaphras (Colossians 1:7) about the Colossians’ response to the gospel message (Colossians 1:5).
Paul was overjoyed to hear that the Colossians had responded positively to the gospel. They had laid down their lives and submitted to the gospel message, professing Christ as their Lord and Savior.
It’s important to share in Paul’s response to this news. Paul was joyful about this news, which is the kind of response we all, as believers, ought to have whenever someone comes to repentance and faith.
It is common for some of us to downplay or even be numb to the idea of fallen sinners professing faith. This ought not to be so. We should share in the joy of heaven whenever a sinner comes to faith:
“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7
“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10
In Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, the attitude that heaven has for sinners who repent and come to faith is one of joy. Such should be the kind of joy we share whenever someone professes faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next, we see Paul praying for the Colossians. In this verse, we see the frequency of Paul’s prayers, the content of Paul’s prayers, and the reason for Paul’s prayers.
1. The Frequency of Paul’s prayers:
Paul says, “since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you.” This indicates that he is praying continuously, praying all the time, praying without ceasing. This suggests that Paul takes time to pray for the Colossians every time he remembers them. The previous passage even suggests that his attitude during prayer is one of thanksgiving and joy, since this is what he feels because of their conversion.
2. The Content of Paul’s prayers:
Paul continues and says, “to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” The content of Paul’s prayer is threefold: knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. All of these are centered on Christ; he prays for godly knowledge, godly wisdom, and godly understanding.
3. The Reason for Paul’s prayers:
In the next verse, Paul says the reason for his prayer is so that the Colossians may “walk in a manner worthy of God, to please Him in all respects.” Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is that they may live lives that please God, which is the purpose of all life. It is all to glorify God. So Paul prays that they may grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, and in doing so, be able to do the one thing they were created to do: glorify God.
Here are some elements we can incorporate into our prayer lives for other believers:
- Let us rejoice whenever someone comes to the faith.
- Let us pray for believers continuously; may this be part of our daily prayers, to pray for the encouragement of believers.
- Let us pray that believers will grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the things of God.
- Let us pray so that believers will live lives that please God.
I pray this word will remind you to pray for other believers.
Blessings,Paul
Leave a Reply