Bible Reading: 1 Kings 14; Colossians 1; Ezekiel 44; Psalms 97 & 98
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Paul was constantly in prayer for the believers at Colosse. He had never met them, but while he was in prison, he took the opportunity to write the letter to them. Now think of Paul’s desire to see this church flourish! He had never seen these folks, but he wanted to write and to instruct and encourage them. He told them that he prayed for them constantly:
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Colossians 1:9 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.
We can learn a lot about praying for people by how Paul prayed for these Christians that he had never met. One of the aspects of his prayer for them was that they walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Paul wanted them to know that as believers in Jesus, it matters how we live. We are supposed to live in a way that is pleasing to King Jesus. Because of our new life in Christ, we can walk in that new way of life:
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Who are you praying for that they might walk in a way that is pleasing to Jesus?
He was also praying that their good works would be fruitful. They were not saved by good works, but God has good works for every believer to do. We should be praying for new Christians that their life is one of fruit bearing.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
The apostle was also praying for their knowledge of God to increase. He wanted them to study the Word of God and grow in knowledge.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It is sad to meet a person who has been a believer for years and still has very little knowledge of the God who loved them enough to give his son to die for them! Paul wanted these believers to grow and live a fruitful life pleasing to the Lord Jesus. He knew the best way he could take part in that was through prayer and getting the Word of God into them. Who are you praying for right now?
In Christ,
Rody
