Many of us keep a prayer list of various friends, relatives, and other Christians whom we pray for on a regular basis. Some of them might have specific needs at any given time, such as health needs, employment, etc. However, with some of them we might not know any specific need, or they might not have a pressing problem at the moment. So how do we pray for them? Many times, when we can’t think of anything specific to pray for with someone, we just ask the Lord to bless them. Praying for the Lord’s blessing upon someone is fine. However, in our Scripture passage today from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we see some of the things that he prayed for on behalf of the members of the church there. Let’s take a look.
The church in Colossae was not a church that was established by the Apostle Paul. It is very likely that Paul never even visited the city, as no mention of him having done so is made in Acts, and in this letter, he only mentions having heard of their faith, not having seen or visited their community. It is thought that the church in Colossae was begun by Epaphras, a believer who came from Ephesus. However, though Paul never met the Colossians, and though he probably wouldn’t have known of any particular needs of specific members, he prayed some very specific and powerful prayers for them, prayers that we can use when we pray for others, in addition to just asking God to bless someone.
First we read that Paul prayed for these believers to have knowledge of God’s will in their life, along with having His wisdom and understanding (vs. 9). Knowledge of God’s will is found in His Word, the Bible. Wisdom is the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture. Understanding is the application of those principles into our daily living.
It is God’s desire that we would walk in His will, and to obey Him (vs. 10). Paul prayed that they walk worthy of Jesus’ Name. Our conversation, conduct, and character should be consistent with our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to live in a manner that represents Him with honor, in a way that is consistent with our identification with the Lord who saved us. Other people, particularly the unsaved around us, should see the likeness of Jesus in us, and be drawn to Him.
As Paul continued his prayer for the Colossians, he prayed for their spiritual strength, for patience, and for long suffering (vs. 11). He knew, especially from his own experience, and that of other churches, that these believers would suffer persecution, both from the Jews and from Gentiles. They would need strength, patience, and long suffering to endure.
Paul prayed that these believers would give thanks to the Lord for their salvation. And lest anyone might start to think that their good works qualified them for heaven, Paul reminded them, and us, that it was the Lord God who qualified them. God qualifies us only through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through Jesus Christ, all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath.
As he continues, Paul reminds them that the Lord Jesus brought them from the power and kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God (vs. 13-14). The Lord Jesus defeated Satan through His death on the cross and resurrection. When we accept Jesus, He rescues and delivers us from Satan’s kingdom of darkness, and brings us to His kingdom of light. As Christians, we have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful king. Our conduct should reflect our new allegiance, and we have no reason to fear the dominion of darkness anymore.
In closing, when we wonder how we can pray for others, in addition to any specific needs they have shared, we can learn from Paul’s example with the Colossians. We can pray for their understanding of God’s will. Also for them to gain spiritual wisdom, and to please and honor Good. We can pray for them to grow in knowledge of God, and to be filled with His strength, patience, and endurance. And finally, for them to be filled with Christ’s joy and to always give thanks to Him. These are prayers that we can bring to the Lord on behalf of any believer at any time, and prayers that the Scripture says He will honor.
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