Each year we observe a National Day of Prayer. It is good that we observe a day where the nation collectively prays together. But, you know what would be even more wonderful, if each day were a day of prayer. The apostle Paul said we are to “Pray without ceasing.”
This morning, I am interested in the prayer that Paul prayed for the saints and faithful brethren at Colosse. He was in prison as he prayed for the Colossians. He didn’t pray that he might be released, for healing from his infirmity, or that Jerusalem be freed from the Romans. In fact, he didn’t even pray for those who needed Christ. Now, he had a burden for lost souls, but his focus was on the church. He wasn’t in any way insinuating that those other needs aren’t important, but rather emphasizing the significance of prayer for the church. Most of the prayers he offers are for the church.
A strong church will lead to a strong nation. A local body in tune with the Lord will reach lost souls. The greatest needs of our day could be influenced tremendously by the church if we were only where God desires us to be. Simply put, we need to pray for each other.
I want to challenge you to pray each day for a specific individual within our church. Let the Spirit guide you as you begin to pray, individually, for the members of Fellowship. Using Paul’s prayer as a guide, I’m certain that we could see a tremendous difference around Fellowship if we would only commit to pray. The text reveals three areas that we need to pray about for each other:
THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE WILL OF GOD (v9)
“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;”
Paul prayed that they might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. We must be filled to the brim, fully equipped. This isn’t simply knowing God’s will but allowing His will to completely saturate our lives so that nothing within our lives is contrary to His will.
We must look at the “big picture”, not just a few things, but every area of life. All that we do must be according to God’s will. Living according to God’s will involves both wisdom and understanding. As we pray for individuals, we must pray that they:
Obtain Wisdom
He prayed that they had all wisdom. Clearly Paul isn’t referring to knowing all things as God does but obtaining godly wisdom to deal with the issues of life.
Many of life’s problems are the result of a lack of wisdom. This leads to poor choices and difficult circumstances. We all need God’s wisdom in our lives. We will never be what He expects us to be apart from it.
You don’t have to be a Harvard grad to obtain spiritual wisdom. In fact, we would probably do well to possess less intellect and more intercession to obtain wisdom. How do I handle this problem? What would God have me to do? We’ll never know without wisdom. We are obligated to pray for those who need wisdom in making proper decisions (leaders, youth, young adults, parents, etc.). Wisdom isn’t obtained through the world, but in prayer, Bible study, and the Spirit revealing truth to us.
Applying Understanding
We need a spiritual understanding, literally a mental “putting together – putting into action.” Life requires that we take the truth we’ve learned, put the pieces together, and apply that truth to our lives.
We need to pray for the ability to apply God’s wisdom, actually put it into action. We will never be able to fully understand all that God is doing, but we must learn to trust and obey His will. I’m no auto mechanic, but I do know this key will start my vehicle and it will take me down the road. I don’t fully understand how all that works, but I do know enough to get where I need to go.
Our spiritual lives are no different. I don’t know what all God is doing “under the hood”, but I do know He’ll get me where I need to go! Take the key of understanding you’ve been given and go for God. Recognize the Will of God.
Secondly, Paul prayed:
THAT WE WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD (V10)
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
He prayed that the Colossians would walk pleasing unto the Lord, being a testimony for Jesus. We certainly need to pray that prayer for each other.
We no longer live in a Christian society. Everyone we meet and know isn’t a Christian. Much of what they know about the Lord and His church is read from the book of our lives. Our day desperately needs those who will walk worthy. This involves three things:
Our Pattern (v.10a)
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.”
Our walk is to glorify Christ. Our life should be a reflection what Jesus has done for us and the change that has taken place; we’re no longer the same!
The word walk means to “set our lives, all of it, after Christ.” The word worthy means “to have the weight of or weigh as much as something else.” So, our walk should weigh as much as the walk of Christ. That’s a sobering thought! We are to live as He did.
This will never happen in a carnal Christian. We must be totally submitted to God. I need the prayers of God’s people to walk worthy and you do too! I can’t live that life within myself. As we pray for each other, pray that God would guide our steps. Pray that we live according to the pattern Jesus set for us.
Our Production (v.10b)
“being fruitful in every good work.”
Paul also prayed that they be fruitful in every good work. He was praying that God would open doors of opportunity for them and that they would have the boldness and dedication to pass through them.
How many lost people came through our doors lately crying out that they needed to be saved? You see, praying for the lost is good, but praying for fruitful Christians is better. Jesus saw the field ready for harvest, but He didn’t pray for the field:
Matt.9:38, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
If we really want to see souls saved, pray for fruitful Christians. Pray for those who are witnessing and inviting them to come.
Eph.2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Rom.10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Our Progression (V.10c)
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
He also prayed that their walk would result in an increased knowledge of God. He wanted them to know God on a deeper level, growing spiritually in Christ. There is no better way to grow in the Lord than through a daily walk with Him. It is then that we learn to fellowship with Him, trust Him in trials, learn Him, and love Him more! May we pray that our church, beginning with individuals will mature in Christ.
St. Augustine said, “Faith is understanding’s step, and understanding is faith’s reward.”
Each of us needs to grow daily. I challenge you to pray that we will develop a deeper relationship with Christ. I pray that we will abandon the shallow water and dive into the deep things of God. We all need a closer walk, growing spiritually. Let’s make that an object of prayer.
Recognize the Will of God
Walk Worthy of the Lord
THAT WE POSSESS THE POWER OF GOD (V11)
“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
Lastly, Paul prayed that they might be strengthened with all might according to God’s power. We serve the God of all power. He created the universe and mankind. He is able to part seas, defeat armies, heal disease, and raise the dead.
These are all great manifestations of His awesome power, but we have that same power within us! He can take a life of wickedness, anger, and hatred and create a life of righteousness, joy, and compassion. That is a God thing! We need the power of God in our lives. We need those who are emboldened to stand for Him; those, who through His power, become an effective witness. Our lives will be void and ineffective without God’s power. It produces:
Patience
This is endurance when circumstances are difficult. Patience doesn’t accept defeat; it is endurance in action. It doesn’t sit idly by waiting on God or someone else to achieve something.
It is the soldier who endures the battle, seeking complete victory. It is the runner enduring the hardships of the race seeking the finish. It is the Christian who will not accept the lies of this world and believe that all hope is lost.
Longsuffering
We need God’s power for patience. – This is possessing self-restraint. Where patience deals with circumstances, longsuffering deals with people. It allows us to overlook their faults and differences, loving them as Christ does, seeing them as Christ sees them.
It doesn’t give up on a man just because he doesn’t act or behave as we think he should. It is a spirit of fellowship and compassion for all, even those who may have wronged us. We need that kind of spirit in the church today.
Joyfulness
I think you would agree that many have lost their joy. The difficulties and circumstances of life have left them feeling defeated and desperate. There is joy in serving the Lord. They just need to rediscover His joy in their lives.
Happiness is dependent on circumstances, but joy remains even in the midnight hour. We need to pray for those who need to have their joy restored.
CONCLUSION
I know that we’ve taken a different approach to prayer than usual, but this is biblical. I promise you, if we commit to pray this prayer for each other, we will see a difference in our church.
I trust that you will begin to pray this prayer daily for a specific individual in our church. During the hymn of invitation, I want us to begin praying this prayer together. I’m sure there is someone within our church that the Spirit has touched your heart to pray for. Let’s pray together for these in need.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 