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A MODEL PRAYER FROM THE PEN OF PAUL

A prayer you can pray for your family and for your church.

 

Sunday, June 17

Pastor Oliver R. Blosser, M.Div., Ph.D.

Faith Community Church

Pipestone, MN

Colossians 1:9-14;   9 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;   10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;   11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;   12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:   13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:   14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

       It is often a blessing to take the prayers of Scripture and pray them for ourselves, our Church, our family and for others. There is something unique in praying the inspired prayers of the past, such as the prayers of the Apostle Paul. By praying these Biblical prayers, you are drawn nearer to the Lord; Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, James 4:8, and His blessings are poured out to you and others for whom you have prayed. As you and others receive the Lord’s blessings, God is glorified in the answer to prayer.

1.  Pray for one another daily.

Colossians 1:9a  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,

       Epaphras, the pastor and church planter, had been instrumental in founding the Colossian Church, and from him, Paul heard the story of the progress of the converts. Now his joy leads him to renewed intercession on their behalf. Your prayer for your family and for your church should not be sporadic, but regular and daily, and it should flow from a heart full of joy.

 

2.  Pray that you will know, understand and do God’s will.

Colossians 1:9b  and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  

       The burden of Paul’s plea to God on the behalf of the Colossian converts was that they might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, Colossians 1:9. The word which he used for Òknowledge” implies Òa thorough knowledge, excluding doubt and error.” The reason why many of us are not filled with the knowledge of God’s will is that we are so very much occupied with the knowledge of our own will!

3.  Pray that you will walk in a way that pleases God.

Colossians 1:10a That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,

       The Bible has much to say about the believer’s walk, that is, the manner of living day to day as a believer. You are to live in a way that will please the Lord. You do this when you are obedient to His will and follow His commands in the Scripture. The way you live day to day has a huge influence on the children in your home, and on the people you meet in the work place and in the community. You must constantly strive to develop godly character in your life so that those with whom you come in contact will see that you reflect the character of Christ.

4.  Pray that you will all be fruitful, and live a life of good works.

Colossians 1:10b   being fruitful in every good work,

       As a Christian, the Lord wants you to be discipled and to bring forth fruit (good works) of discipleship. Growing spiritually in the Lord will help you to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, Romans 8:29. This will give to you the character to be Christ-like and like Christ so that the Lord will use you to produce the fruit of good works. Pray that your church and your family will do the Lord’s good works in day to day life.

5.  Pray that you will all learn more and more about God.

Colossians 1:10c   and increasing in the knowledge of God;  

       Full knowledge of the Lord’s will offers you insights which will help you to better understand God’s world in which you live and His divine plan for the ages. Remember that spiritual fullness satisfies the deepest human needs. Pray that those you love will be drawn to God’s Word, and that they will develop a close personal relationship with Christ.

6.  Pray for spiritual strength to oppose evil through God’s power.

Colossians 1:11a Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,

       The Lord wants to give spiritual power to you, the power that is received in the person of the Holy Spirit. If you, your family, or your church, seem spiritually weak, ask God for strength through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

       The Lord promises deliverance for every Christian from Satan’s temptations and power. There is so much influence from the devil in our world today. Our culture is filled with violence and depravity. It often seems that Satan has more recognition and more rights than God has in our society! How vital it is for us to pray for our family, that they will be shielded from the influence of evil.

7.  Pray that you will develop patience, and endure difficulty with joy.

Colossians 1:11b   unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  

       There is a great deal of suffering and trouble in this world. But the Christian is called to live above the difficulties of life. You are to live life with patience and joy. When you become discouraged or depressed, you can pray for God’s gifts of patience and joy to fill your life. As you see members of your family and of your church passing through valleys of tribulation, pray for them, that they will receive the blessings of patience and joy.

       Paul also includes praise and thanks in his prayer for the church at Colossae. We, too, can offer up thanks to God for His promises and His blessings in our lives, in our homes, and in our church.

8.  Give thanks for salvation.

Colossians 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  

       As a believer, you have a spiritual inheritance through our Lord Jesus Christ, the heir of all things. You have become a part of God’s family! Give thanks daily that you have been led out of the darkness of sin into the light of truth, cf. Acts 20:32; 26:18. Rejoice that you and those you love are part of God’s family!

9.  Give thanks for deliverance from sin and hell, and for the promise of eternal life in Heaven.

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

       God has prepared a home in Heaven for those who have put their faith and trust in Him! Some day, you will be carried away from this world, and placed in your eternal home! Rejoice, and thank God for his amazing love and mercy!

10.  Give thanks for Jesus’ death, which makes our salvation possible.

Colossians 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.       

       The greatest blessing of all time was when God gave His Son to die in your place. You were redeemed, bought back, by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice at Calvary’s cross, no other blessing would be available to you or to your family or to your church! Thank God for the cross! Glory in the cross of Christ, Galatians 6:14.

Life Application

       There is no evidence that Paul ever visited the Christians at Colossae. He had “heard of their faith,” Colossians 1:4, 9, and implies that they “have not seen his face in the flesh,” Colossians 2:1. In his letter, Paul presents his theme; Christ is all, and in all. Is Jesus Christ your all in all? This is what Paul is praying for in his prayer for the Colossians.

       Paul tells the Colossians that he is praying for them, but that it is a great conflict, Colossians 2:1. Prayer is always a struggle. When you pray, you do battle against the foes of God and His truth. All the forces of hell are marshalled against spirit-inspired prayer.

       There is, however, a great blessing in praying this prayer for oneself and others. Commit yourselves to prayer, and God will send His blessings.