⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father,who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:9-14 NIV)

As we step into the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we have seen Paul introduce himself to his readers (vv.1-2), and express his thankfulness for them (vv. 3-8).  Today we see Paul pray for the Colossians (vv. 9-14).

In verse 3, Paul mentioned that he prayed for the Colossian church.  Today we see the substance of his prayer for them.  Verse 9 (“… since the day we heard about you…”) indicates that this is not an occasional prayer, but a daily prayer for the Colossians.  Again, like yesterday, Paul’s word choice (“heard”)  indicates that Paul had not been to Colossae.

Let’s stop for a moment and consider Paul’s words.  Even though Paul had not been to Colossae, he lifted them up in prayer before God.  This indicates the power of our prayers.

From yesterday’s text, we see Paul praising the Colossians for all the good things he had heard about them.  This shows us a pattern of praying not only for others’ needs but also for those who are doing well.  We are often quick to pray for others who are struggling with a circumstance or issue, and we praise God for good things that are happening in others’ lives.  How often do we pray for those who are doing well with the Lord, that they may do even better?  Today we see that as Paul’s example as he prays for the Colossians.

So what does Paul pray on behalf of the Colossians?  The knowledge of God’s will, given by God’s Holy Spirit.

And why does Paul pray this prayer on behalf of the Colossians?  So that the Colossians may live a life worthy of the Lord, and please Him in every way.

Paul then describes the things that please God:

• bearing fruit in every good work
• growing in the knowledge of God
• being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might
• giving joyful thanks to the Father

Paul also reminds the Colossians that God’s strength produces endurance and patience.

Paul also reminds the Colossians that they are to be thankful for the inheritance they have in eternal life, in heaven itself.  And why should we be thankful for this inheritance? Because we were rescued from the dominion of darkness (our sin) and brought into God’s kingdom by none other than Christ Himself, who paid the price of redemption for our souls.  And what was that price?  Forgiving our sins – the past, the present, and the future.

Before we wrap up our time together, let’s stop and pray as Paul prayed, for those who are walking with the Lord and doing well.  May our prayers reflect Paul’s heart, that those for whom we pray may grow even deeper in their love for and walk with the Lord.

Blessings,
~kevin