Colossians 1:9-12 - So ever since we first heard about you
we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what he wants you
to do; asking him to make you wise about spiritual things; and
asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor him, so that
you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you
are learning to know God better and better. We are
praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so
that you can keep going no matter what happens—always full of the joy of the
Lord, and always thankful to the Father who has
made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in
the Kingdom of light.
Paul amazes me with the number of letters he wrote while he
was in prison. While confined to his home….probably chained to a roman soldier…he
spent his time encouraging others and visiting with the ones he sent to check
on them. This group of believers at Collosse was evangelized by Epaprus…one who
Paul had preached to and immediately went to share what he had learned with his
own community. Paul realizes their need
for continued support…especially since other false teachings were common in
that area.
Paul had never met these people…yet he opened his heart in
prayer for them to the father. He asked God to help them understand the scriptures….give
them wisdom in spiritual things….and help them live pleasing lives to God. Then
he added a request for God to teach them how to do kind things for others…know
God at continuing deeper levels…and be filled with God’s strength. He finished
his prayers for them by pleading to God for them to endure in the faith….stay
full of Christ’s joy…and always be thankful no matter what happened in their
life.
I admit that my prayers for friends are not so
comprehensive. I lift up the requests that they make known to me….but hardly
ever go beyond the obvious need that they presented to me for prayer. I need to
internalize Paul’s 9 point prayer for all that I lift to God….so that he can do
more than just answer one simple need. I need to realize that I can do this
even for people I have never met.
Father…thank you for the reminder that my prayers need to be
more comprehensive and in depth. Forgive
me for the times that I have lifted up quick prayers of need that stop with just
the obvious needs. Help me to internalize Paul’s heart for prayer…and realize
the great power of prayer to do more than what I ask. Give me a heart to pray
for those that I don’t even know. Amen.
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